UFC Qatar’s lightweight headliner between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker had been building tension for months, and their final appearance in front of fans delivered exactly what many expected. Both fighters have taken turns firing at each other verbally since the matchup was announced, with Hooker even saying earlier in the week that he would not hold back if things got physical and that Tsarukyan likely felt the same way.
Their rivalry finally snapped when they met on stage for the ceremonial weigh ins.
Headbutt Ignites the Final Staredown
After stepping on the scale successfully, and with Khamzat Chimaev showing support for him backstage, Tsarukyan walked toward Hooker for the last staredown before fight night. The tension was visible before they even reached the center of the stage. Hooker made a small feint in Tsarukyan’s direction, and that was all it took.
As soon as they closed the distance, Tsarukyan lunged forward and delivered an immediate headbutt to Hooker. UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard rushed between them to prevent the moment from turning into a larger altercation.
Despite the sudden strike, Hooker hardly reacted. Instead, he embraced the chaos and told cameras, “I love it, bring it on,” seconds after the incident.
Arman Tsarukyan just HEADBUTTED Dan Hooker during their UFC Qatar face off 😳 pic.twitter.com/0vNdvRAoCt
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) November 21, 2025
Fortunately, Hooker did not appear to suffer any injury from the clash, otherwise the lightweight main event on November 22 could have been jeopardized. For Tsarukyan, confrontations of this nature are not new.
He was once fined and suspended twenty five thousand dollars for striking a fan on his way to the Octagon before fighting Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. In another instance, he got into a physical dispute with Bobby Green during UFC Austin fight week in late 2023.
With this latest incident added to his record, Tsarukyan continues to show that he is willing to push the limits when emotions rise.
