Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker face off at UFC Fight Night. Photo: Getty Images
UFC Fight Night: Arman Tsarukyan v Dan Hooker
Main event starts approximately 7am NZT, Sunday
ABHA Arena, Doha
Live blog updates on RNZ
Dan 'The Hangman' Hooker is back in mixed martial arts action this Sunday morning, taking on Arman Tsarukyan in a lightweight fight that headlines UFC Fight Night in Doha.
Hooker returns to the Octagon for the first time since August last year, when he defeated Mateusz Gamrot in a split decision over five rounds.
Meanwhile, Tsarukyan's last fight was a split-decision win of his own, although you have to go even further back for that. The Armenian's victory over Charles Oliveira was in April last year, before he suffered a back injury that's kept him out of action since.
Where is Hooker's career right now
Dan Hooker is currently sixth-ranked lightweight in UFC. Photo: Photosport
Hooker, 35, arrives as the sixth-ranked fighter in the lightweight division, while Tsarukyan is No.1 among the contenders chasing Ilia Topuria's championship belt.
It feels like the City Kickboxing stalwart is definitely on the backend of his long career, especially since most headlines about him lately have been for fights he's organised in his backyard, rather those he's participated in.
This match-up is the most onbrand one for Hooker though, as no-one is keen to go near the dangerous Tsarukyan right now. In the past, Hooker has jumped at the chance to face the likes of Edson Barboza, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, while his most notable risk was a short-notice fight against Islam Makhachev.
Hooker lost all of those fights, but rides a three-win streak into this one.
Who is Arman Tsarukyan
Tsarukyan, 29, has been in the UFC since 2019 and his debut fight was a memorable battle with Makhachev that earned 'Fight of the Night' status. Since then, he's only suffered one loss and currently has a four-fight win streak.
Tsarukyan is being positioned as a serious challenger for Topuria's title, with this fight seen by many as a stepping stone to a co-main event at a future numbered UFC card. He is known for his wrestling and grappling skills, and being able to stifle the pace of opponents that prefer a stand-up fight.
Tale of the tape
Kiwi Dan Hooker grapples with Paul Felder in their Auckland lightweight bout in 2022. Photo: Photosport
Dan 'The Hangman' Hooker
Age: 35
Based in Auckland, New Zealand
UFC record: 24-12 (11 KO, 7 submissions)
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 71kg
Arman 'Ahalkalakets' Tsarukyan
Age: 29
Based in Yerevan, Armenia
UFC record: 22-3 (9 KO, 5 submissions)
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 70kg
What they're saying
"He's a good fighter. He's dangerous on the feet, but on the ground, I think my game is way better.
"I think I'm more powerful on the striking - my hands, my legs - I kick harder, I punch harder. Maybe my technique is not that good, but on the feet, if I punch him, I can knock him out." - Arman Tsarukyan
"I did say it would be the first decapitation in UFC history. I said I would kick his head clean off his shoulders and they will have to sew it back on afterwards." - Dan Hooker
What will happen
While Hooker certainly has the fighting spirit, it's difficult to see him coming out on top of this one.
The main thing in his favour is Tsarukyan's long absence from the ring, but even then, the match-up is showing a potentially long, slow submission battle.
One thing for sure, Hooker would rather die than quit, so Tsarukyan will have to bring something extra in the arsenal to make sure the result goes his way. Expect some elbows and ground-and-pound, if he gets on top from the second round onwards.
Hooker simply needs to stay on his feet and take the fight to Tsarukyan to have any chance. It's not impossible and he does possess very experienced kickboxing ability, so one decent shot early could change the trajectory of this fight dramatically.
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