Arman Tsarukyan proved why he’s the No. 1-ranked lightweight in the UFC’s official rankings.
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 265 at ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar, Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) submitted Dan Hooker in the second round. Once the fight hit the mat, Hooker (24-13 MMA, 14-9 UFC) had no answers and was forced to either go out or tap – he chose the latter at 3:34.
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Tsarukyan timed his first takedown attempt well, but Hooker did well to keep the fight standing. However, Tsarukyan blasted him with a few hard strikes after the separation. A moment later, Hooker attempted to reverse a clinch by jumping on a choke, but Tsarukyan was able to reverse and take side control, closing out the round with some ground and pound.
With about four minutes remaining in the second, Tsarukyan had Hooker on his back, working from full guard. Tsarukyan steadily landed heavy elbows, and then postured up for a few big punches. With two minutes to go, Tsarukyan slid into full mount, and began isolating an arm for the arm triangle. The squeeze got tighter and tighter, and Hooker had no choice but to tap.
During his post-fight interview, Tsarukyan called for a title shot against Ilia Topuria, while also thanking Hooker for taking the fight because no one else would step up.
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“Ilia, if you’re here, come on,” Tsaruykan said. “We’ve got to face off. There is just one contender, No. 1, it’s Arman Tsarukyan. Don’t make an easy fight. … I’m the best in the world, and I’m gonna be the champion and defend as much as possible, that title, and make all records in UFC.”
Tsarukyan extends his winning streak to six, stretching back to 2022. His run includes wins over Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, and Charles Oliveira. On the other side, Hooker’s three-fight streak comes to an end.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 265 results:
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Arman Tsarukyan def. Dan Hooker via submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 3:34
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Qatar: Arman Tsarukyan wants title after tapping Hooker in Doha
