Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight finishers Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker will go to war today (Sat., Nov. 22, 2025) inside Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Al Rayyan, Qatar, for UFC Qatar.
Tsarukyan is widely considered the best Lightweight on the planet aside from divisional kingpin, Ilia Topuria. The 29-year-old wrestling ace debuted on short-notice against Islam Makhachev of all people, and on short-notice he gave the future champion more trouble than a fully prepared Jack Della Maddalena! Since then, he’s made it abundantly clear he’s a world-class talent, though making the 155-pound limit remains a challenge for standout from Armenia.
Hooker, conversely, has seen his fair share of ups and downs inside the Octagon. He went on a really bad run in 2020/2021 while barely training during the COVID-19 lockdowns, but he’s since righted the ship with three straight victories. A perennially tough out, Hooker has a chance to suddenly jump back into the title mix in Qatar.
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: (L-R) Dan Hooker of New Zealand punches Mateusz Gamrot of Poland in a lightweight fight during the UFC 305 event at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Tsarukyan vs. Hooker Betting Odds
- Arman Tsarukyan victory: -480
- Arman Tsarukyan via TKO/KO/DQ: +150
- Arman Tsarukyan via submission: +325
- Arman Tsarukyan via decision: +230
- Dan Hooker victory: +330
- Dan Hooker via TKO/KO/DQ: +1300
- Dan Hooker via submission: +3000
- Dan Hooker via decision: +1100
- Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Tsarukyan is one of the division’s most impressive athlete. Remarkably strong, well-conditioned, and flexible, he’s a non-stop wrestler who can really pummel opponents from top position. On the feet, his left leg is his best weapon, but Tsarukyan has power in his hands as well.
Obviously, Tsarukyan is going to wrestle here. When he explodes into a full power shot, there’s little doubt he’ll be able to drive Hooker off his feet and to the canvas. He’s taken down just about everyone he’s faced, and Hooker is not some iron wall of defense.
The important bit will be controlling Hooker afterward. We just saw Mateusz Gamrot successful get Hooker down but exhaust himself trying to keep him there. Hooker has to advance position carefully, enough to prevent Hooker from wall-walking back to his feet. Otherwise, he risks wasting energy needlessly, and his takedowns will grow more difficult as this five-round fight wears on.
Hooker is as game as they come. Incredibly tough and durable, the 35-year-old Kiwi is actually a slick kickboxer with great timing on his intercepting punches and knees. He’s undoubtedly willing to brawl, but on more than one occasion Hooker has proven his technical skill as well.
I don’t want to imply that Tsarukyan and Gamrot are the same fighter, but if Hooker defeats Tsarukyan, it will likely be because of the same choices that turned away “Gamer.” Against the other top wrestler in the division, Hooker was able to continually work to his feet and repeatedly punish takedown attempts. Between the wrestling exchanges, he set a relentless pace that put Gamrot on his back foot, forced bad shots, and generally fatigued him. In addition to all of that, he stuck the ball of his foot into Gamrot’s midsection countless times, winding the shorter wrestler (see above).
Those are all the tactics Hooker must employ to break down Tsarukyan, though he should add a serving of calf kicks against his fellow right-handed striker. The primary difference is that Hooker has to be more aware when taken down. Tsarukyan is a mauler with his ground strikes, whereas Gamrot was never very threatening in that regard.
Hooker will have to walk a fine line between constantly scrambling versus defending his face, because letting Tsarukyan elbow him into oblivion will not pay off in the long run.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 13: (L-R) Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia kicks Charles Oliveira of Brazil in a lightweight fight during the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Tsarukyan vs. Hooker Prediction
I want to pick Hooker here. I really do. We’ve seen Tsarukyan hurt by lesser competition, and we just saw Hooker outlast a wrestler of a similar calibre to Tsarukyan. Unfortunately, Hooker’s odds are deeply impacted by the difference in wear-and-tear, and the fact that Tsarukyan is such a tank of an athlete. He’s going to be faster than Hooker and much more likely to hurt him standing than Gamrot, and the takedowns are going to come too easily. I worry that Hooker will get pummeled while trying to scramble, leaving him unable to build success even as Tsarukyan slows a bit.
Tsarukyan is the more likely fighter to create an early finish, and he’s also likely to do enough damage that Hooker can’t just break him down with body shots. Hooker is a live dog, but the odds favor Tsarukyan for good reason.
Prediction: Tsarukyan via decision
MIDDLE EAST MAYHEM! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to action on Sat., Nov. 22, 2025, with an exciting main event set to headline UFC Qatar inside ABHA Arena in Doha. In the ESPN+-streamed main event, Lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker clash in a high-stakes, five-round bout. The co-main event features a Welterweight showdown between Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry, with future 170-pound title shot implications on the line. The card will also showcase a Light Heavyweight showdown pitting Volkan Oezdemir vs. Alonzo Menifield, a Heavyweight collision featuring Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev, and much more! The start time is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard) and 1 p.m. ET (main card).
