In a landmark night for mixed martial arts, the UFC made its highly anticipated debut in Qatar, delivering a fight card that could significantly reshape two weight divisions. The event's headline acts, Arman Tsarukyan and Ian Machado Garry, both secured statement victories that edge them closer to coveted championship opportunities.
Tsarukyan's Dominant Submission Sets Up Title Contention
The evening's main event saw lightweight number one contender Arman Tsarukyan put on a clinical performance against fan favourite Dan Hooker. The Armenian fighter, 29, showcased his well-rounded and dangerous skillset, systematically breaking down the tough New Zealander before securing a fight-ending submission in the second round.
The finish came via a powerful arm-triangle choke, forcing Hooker to tap out and cementing Tsarukyan's status as the division's prime challenger. This victory was particularly significant for Tsarukyan, coming ten months after he was forced to withdraw from a scheduled bout with then-champion Islam Makhachev due to a back injury.
Adding intrigue to the title picture, current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria was in attendance at the Lusail Sports Arena, supporting his brother Aleksandre's bantamweight victory earlier on the card. Also present was British star Paddy Pimblett, who maintains a well-documented grudge with Topuria and could potentially leapfrog Tsarukyan for the next title shot.
Machado Garry Outpoints Former Champion Muhammad
In the co-main event, Ireland's Ian Machado Garry continued his impressive ascent up the welterweight rankings with a disciplined unanimous decision win over former champion Belal Muhammad. The judges' scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28, all in favour of the undefeated 28-year-old.
While not as explosive as other recent welterweight performances, Machado Garry's tactical victory over a seasoned former champion builds a compelling case for his own title shot. However, the path to the gold is crowded. Just one week prior at UFC 322, Carlos Prates knocked out ex-champion Leon Edwards and Michael Morales stopped top contender Sean Brady. Those bouts preceded the main event where Islam Makhachev successfully debuted at 170lbs and dethroned champion Jack Della Maddalena.
What's Next for the UFC's New Contenders?
The outcomes in Doha have created fascinating dynamics in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. Tsarukyan's emphatic finish makes a strong argument for a showdown with Ilia Topuria, though the allure of a Pimblett vs. Topuria grudge match presents a commercial alternative for the promotion.
For Ian Machado Garry, his methodical win adds another respected name to his resume. He now finds himself in a pool of viable contenders at 170lbs, a division freshly disrupted by Makhachev's arrival and the explosive wins of Prates and Morales. The UFC's matchmakers now face the challenging task of untangling this web of contenders to determine who will fight for the belts next.
