“It’s so important to go there and to show I’m on a different level [and] dominate,” Tsarukyan told UFC.com. … I just want to see where my skills [are] right now, and I know I can go there and knock [him out]. “The Hangman” has been the definition of a tough customer since breaking into the division’s Top 15 in the late-2010s, and at 35 years old, Hooker has a sense of urgency about him. An injured hand prevented him from going for a fourth consecutive win as he pulled out of his scheduled bout with Justin Gaethje earlier this year, but he clamored for this opportunity against Tsarukyan as he seeks his first title shot. Despite his past drama, Tsarukyan is still the top ranked lightweight in the division with a 9-2 record under the UFC banner. He’s also a powerful offensive wrestler, averaging more than three takedowns per fight. Wrestlers get a bad wrap for their ground control but that doesn’t mean Tsarukyan is a boring fighter. On the contrary, “Ahalkalakets” has racked up five post-fight performance bonuses which includes two “Fight of the Night” honors. His only two losses inside the Octagon came in fights where he got outwrestled and with all due respect, that ain’t happening at UFC Qatar — though I also wouldn’t call this an easy out.

Hooker’s been competing in UFC for well over a decade and at one point was ranked in the Top 5 at 155 pounds. “The Hangman” is currently enjoying a three-fight win streak — a place he’s been several times in the past — but consistency is not his strong suit, which is why the kiwi is more than 10 years into his UFC career and still nowhere near a division title shot. Like Tsarukyan, the 35 year-old Hooker has five post-fight performance bonuses to his credit with a trio of “Fight of the Night” honors, along with 18 finishes in 24 wins. Conversely, Hooker also has double-digit losses (12), getting finished in half of them. He’s a competent offensive wrestler with solid defense but still gets taken down by the division’s best wrestlers, giving up five takedowns to Gamrot and four to Jason Knight. How many will he surrender to Tsarukyan? That remains to be seen, but it’s also the deciding factor in a fight that I don’t expect to see a fifth round.

In the fight’s lead-up, Hooker has roundly accepted the underdog role, saying any success he has against Tsarukyan on November 22 will chip away at the image of invincibility around the younger contender. Tsarukyan takes exception with this, naturally, although he does compliment Hooker’s toughness and striking.  “He's trying to find excuses like, ‘I'm underdog [with] nothing to lose,’” Tsarukyan said. “He came here to make money, but I came here to be a contender number one and to show everybody I deserve to fight for the title. We have a different goal.” When asked about the matchup, Tsarukyan paints a pretty straightforward picture of a striker-vs-grappler matchup.

However, when pressed about how confident he feels standing toe-to-toe with one of the division’s great brawlers, Tsarukyan believes he has enough in his locker to slug it out and mix things up. Until then, it’s all about his third career main event, and he is honored to make the final walk of the evening in what should be a favorable environment on fight night. Now familiar with what it takes to fight 25 minutes, Tsarukyan said he knows “how to control” himself and not rush for the finish. Besides, it’s his first fight since April 2024, so he wants to enjoy the special moment as well.