TLDR
- Arman Tsarukyan is a heavy favorite at -650 against Dan Hooker (+470) in the main event
- Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad faces Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event, with Garry favored at -270
- The event takes place November 22 at ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar (1 p.m. ET on ESPN+)
- Experts predict Tsarukyan will control Hooker with wrestling and ground control for most of the fight
- Muhammad returns after losing his title to Jack Della Maddalena in May 2025
Main Event Odds
Arman Tsarukyan (-650) vs. Dan Hooker (+470)
Full Fight Card Odds
- Belal Muhammad (+220) vs. Ian Machado Garry (-270)
- Volkan Oezdemir (-225) vs. Alonzo Menifield (+185)
- Jack Hermansson (+205) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (-250)
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta (-135) vs. Shamil Gaziev (+114)
- Tagir Ulanbekov (-218) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (+180)
- Bogdan Grad (+210) vs. Luke Riley (-258)
- Nicolas Dalby (+275) vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (-345)
- Alex Perez (+180) vs. Asu Almabayev (-218)
- Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (-1650) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (+950)
- Bekzat Almakhan (+114) vs. Aleksandre Topuria (-135)
- Ismael Naurdiev (-142) vs. Ryan Loder (+120)
- Nurullo Aliev (-290) vs. Shem Rock (+235)
- Marek Bujlo (+170) vs. Denzel Freeman (-213)
Fight Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 9 p.m. local time in Qatar Prelims: 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+
Main Event : Arman Tsarukyan vs Dan Hooker
The UFC makes its first trip to Qatar on November 22 with a lightweight main event between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. The event takes place at ABHA Arena in Doha with 14 fights on the card.
Tsarukyan enters as a near 5-to-1 favorite at -650. The top-ranked lightweight has won four straight fights but hasn’t competed in over a year and a half. His last victory came against former champion Charles Oliveira.
Hooker comes in on a three-fight winning streak. At 35 years old, this matchup may represent his last chance at a title run. The New Zealand fighter is listed at +470 odds.
ESPN analyst Anthony Smith predicts Tsarukyan will win by decision. Smith believes the key will be Tsarukyan’s ability to secure takedowns. “I’m not sure that Hooker can stop Tsarukyan’s takedowns,” Smith said.
MMA coach Din Thomas agrees with the decision prediction. Thomas expects Tsarukyan to control Hooker on the ground for most of the 25-minute fight. He estimates Hooker will spend at least 18 minutes controlled on the mat.
Co-Main Event Features Former Champion
Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad faces Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event. Muhammad is listed as the underdog at +220 after losing his title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May.
Garry is favored at -270 following his unanimous decision win over Carlos Prates in April. ESPN ranks Muhammad as the No. 3 welterweight and Garry at No. 5.
The betting experts are split on this matchup. Smith leans toward Garry, noting that Della Maddalena showed how to beat Muhammad. Thomas picks Muhammad based on his work ethic and determination.
ESPN betting expert Ian Parker backs Muhammad at +220. Parker believes the fight will come down to Muhammad’s wrestling ability. If Muhammad can get the fight to the ground, Parker expects him to win at least two of three rounds.
Light Heavyweight Action
Volkan Oezdemir faces Alonzo Menifield in a light heavyweight bout. Oezdemir is favored at -225 while Menifield sits at +185. Parker likes Menifield as an upset pick, noting his heavy punches and improved cardio.
Jack Hermansson drops down to welterweight after a knockout loss to Gregory Rodrigues. He faces Myktybek Orolbai, who is favored at -250. Hermansson has alternated wins and losses across his last nine fights at middleweight.
The bantamweight matchup between Bekzat Almakhan and Aleksandre Topuria features close odds. Topuria is a slight favorite at -135 with his brother, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, in his corner. Almakhan comes off a knockout win over Brad Katona.
Luke Riley makes his UFC debut against Bogdan Grad at featherweight. Riley is undefeated with three knockouts in his last four Cage Warriors fights. Despite being the favorite at -258, some experts pick Grad as an upset candidate.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta faces Shamil Gaziev on short notice after finishing Ante Delija earlier this month. Cortes-Acosta is favored at -135 despite the quick turnaround.
