Earlier this month, UFC CEO Dana White dropped some huge news for MMA fans. Arman Tsarukyan, Dan Hooker, Belal Muhammad, and Ian Machado Garry are all set to make their return on November 22 at UFC Qatar, a first for the region thanks to their deal with the MMA promotion. For Tsarukyan, it marks his first fight since defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300—and since withdrawing from his scheduled lightweight title clash with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January.
As for Hooker, this will be his first appearance since edging out Mateusz Gamrot via split decision. More excitingly, though, Tsarukyan outpaced both Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett in the race for a 155-pound title shot to earn a crack at Ilia Topuria’s UFC gold. While White hasn’t yet confirmed Topuria’s next oppone