For Arman Tsarukyan, UFC Qatar isn’t just another fight night; it’s personal. When the lightweight contender steps into the cage on November 22, it won’t just be about his four-fight win streak or a shot at the title. This time, his father will be there to watch him fight, something that hasn’t happened in over six years! It might sound like a small thing to some, but for Tsarukyan, it’s monumental.
His father, Nairi, last saw him compete live in 2019, when a young Arman made his UFC debut against Islam Makhachev. That fight, though a loss, was hailed as one of Makhachev’s toughest tests. Now, with a title eliminator against Dan Hooker on the horizon, Tsarukyan gets to share his journey full circle, with his family watching from the stands for the first time in years.
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Arman Tsarukyan reveals UFC Qatar’s importance for his family
With the UFC hosting its first-ever event in Qatar, travel restrictions have made it easier for fans from Russia and Armenia to attend. For Tsarukyan, that means he’ll finally have a full corner of familiar faces cheering him as he recently shared on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, “Yeah this time, a lot of people come to Qatar. They don’t need a visa. So, this time we’re going to have a bunch of people from Russia, from Armenia. So, I’m going to have a big team. ”
Ariel Helwani asked if that was part of what made the location special. Tsarukyan didn’t hesitate as he confessed, “The best thing, my father can come and watch my fight. This is the best thing”, and added, “6 years ago, 2019, so he’s super excited to come and watch my fight.”
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Born into an Armenian family in Georgia, Tsarukyan moved to Russia as a child when his parents sought a better life. His father, a construction businessman, instilled in him discipline and a work ethic long before the UFC spotlight ever found him. But family, for Arman Tsarukyan, stretches beyond one generation. When Helwani asked about the now-famous photo of his 101-year-old great-grandfather, Tsarukyan’s tone shifted.
He stated, “He’s doing great. He’s telling me I’m a boxer. I’m saying I’m not a boxer, I’m a MMA fighter. I was trying to explain what is MMA, I’m saying it’s like a street fight without rules, and he said that it’s still boxing. I said okay.”
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Yet, there was a tinge of sadness in his voice as he further revealed that the man who once watched his great-grandson’s fights on TV, now struggles with recognition as he shared during ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, “When he was 90 years old, he was watching my fights, but right now, he watch, but sometimes he couldn’t recognize (me), you know.”
While Tsarukyan’s family story tugs at the heart, his professional path is equally compelling. His upcoming bout against Dan Hooker in Qatar isn’t just another main event; it’s a title eliminator, with the winner reportedly set to face Ilia Topuria for the lightweight championship in 2026. Yet, according to ‘The Hangman’, the fight may be canceled before the two even step into the Octagon for one reason!
Dan Hooker warns Tsarukyan to stay away from him ahead of UFC Qatar
Tension sells tickets. But what happens when tension nearly breaks the show? Dan Hooker says this fight might not survive fight week! Speaking to Submission Radio, the Kiwi recently confessed, “If he comes in arms range of me (during the build up), I’m gonna hit him, that’s the long and short of it, and the fights gonna be off, I don’t care about that.”
What does that mean for the UFC? It means a headache. Dana White already announced the headliner live. Now he must manage two fighters who say they might physically scrap before they lace gloves. But ‘The Hangman’ didn’t stop there, he further shared, “If you put me near the guy I’m gonna try to hit him and throw s— at him and p— him off…. The UFC wants this fight to happen so it’s on them to keep us away from each other.”
On paper, it’s a classic clash: a compact, wrestling-heavy fighter versus a rangy, dangerous striker. But beyond the styles, there’s real danger in the build-up. If Hooker’s promise to start the fight before the fight holds, the UFC may be in for its most chaotic headliner yet.
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For Arman Tsarukyan, the fight is a moment soaked in meaning. His father will finally see him compete again after six long years, and somewhere far away, his 101-year-old great-grandfather might still be watching, even if he no longer recognizes the man he helped raise. But sentiment aside, the road to UFC Qatar is paved with volatility.