Tsarukyan Escaped Hooker’s Guillotines
Arman Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker in the UFC Qatar main event on November 22, 2025, at ABHA Arena in Doha. An arm-triangle choke ended the lightweight contest at 3:34 of the second round, extending Tsarukyan’s winning streak to five fights.
The return brought an immediate test of composure
Tsarukyan was returning after the injury withdrawal that cost him a January championship opportunity. Hooker presented a dangerous striking opponent with submission threats of his own.
Hooker initially resisted a takedown, but a knee and punching combination from Tsarukyan changed the opening exchanges. The contest quickly moved between striking, clinch work and ground positions.
Hooker threatened the neck before losing position
A guillotine attempt gave Hooker an attacking opportunity in the first round. Tsarukyan escaped the danger and emerged on top, where he added elbows before the round ended.
Hooker again pursued a guillotine in the second. Tsarukyan worked through the attempt, established top position and increased the pressure with strikes rather than allowing another prolonged scramble.
Mount opened the path to the finishing choke
Tsarukyan advanced to mount and secured the arm-triangle that forced Hooker to submit. The finish came with one minute and twenty-six seconds remaining in the round.
Afterward, Tsarukyan called for a fight with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. The challenge expressed his championship ambitions; the result itself was a submission victory over Hooker, rather than confirmation of an already arranged title bout.
