TLDR
- UFC makes its first visit to Qatar with Fight Night event at Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Al Rayyan on Saturday
- Main event features Arman Tsarukyan (156 lbs) vs Dan Hooker (155.5 lbs) in lightweight bout with title implications
- Co-main event includes Ian Machado Garry vs Belal Muhammad at welterweight
- All fighters successfully made weight on Friday, with 14 total bouts scheduled
- Event streams live on ESPN+ with prelims starting at 10 a.m. ET and main card at 1 p.m. ET
The UFC brings mixed martial arts to Qatar for the first time this Saturday. The event takes place at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Al Rayyan.
All fighters successfully made weight on Friday ahead of the event. The weigh-in confirmed that the full 14-fight card is ready to proceed.
The main event features lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan facing veteran Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan weighed in at 156 pounds while Hooker came in at 155.5 pounds.
Tsarukyan enters with a 22-3 record and momentum in the lightweight division. He is known for his wrestling skills and cardio.
Hooker brings a 24-12 record and ranks sixth in the lightweight division. The New Zealand fighter has experience against top-level competition.
The bout has implications for the lightweight title picture. Tsarukyan stated this fight proves he is ready for the top of the division.
Hooker said he performs best as an underdog. He promised fans in Qatar would see a show.
Supporting Bouts on the Card
The co-main event features Ian Machado Garry versus Belal Muhammad at welterweight. Garry weighed 170 pounds while Muhammad came in at 171 pounds.
Light heavyweights Alonzo Menifield and Volkan Oezdemir both made weight at 206 pounds. Their bout adds depth to a competitive division.
Jack Hermansson faces Myktybek Orolbai in another welterweight matchup. Hermansson weighed 170.5 pounds and Orolbai hit 170 pounds.
The flyweight bout between Kyoji Horiguchi and Tagir Ulanbekov features two technical fighters. Both made weight at 125.5 pounds.
Heavyweights Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Shamil Gaziev round out the main card. Cortes-Acosta weighed 265 pounds while Gaziev came in at 262 pounds.
Event Details and Schedule
The preliminary card begins at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+. It includes seven bouts featuring a mix of prospects and veterans.
The main card starts at 1 p.m. ET, also on ESPN+. Six fights make up the main card portion of the event.
One weight discrepancy occurred on the preliminary card. Marek Bujlo weighed 256.5 pounds for his heavyweight bout against Denzel Freeman, who weighed 260 pounds.
All other fighters hit their contracted weights without issue. The successful weigh-in clears the way for Saturday’s action.
The event represents the UFC’s continued expansion into the Middle East. Qatar joins Abu Dhabi as a host city for UFC events in the region.
