Fans React To Arman Headbutting Hooker – ‘He’s Gonna Sleep Him’

November 22, 2025

2 months

Fans have reacted to Arman Tsarukyan’s headbutt towards Dan Hooker during the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC Qatar this weekend ahead of their lightweight clash.

After a tense faceoff, Tsarukyan leaned in and headbutted Hooker, as Dan lost his cool. UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard and security personnel were forced to separate the two, as they exchanged heated words. Hooker quickly returned to the stage, laughing off the incident and telling the crowd, “Let’s go. I love it, I love it. Bring it on!” Meanwhile, Arman said he would stop Hooker: “I’m going to show a great knockout. I’m going to get my title next.”

The Incident

For Tsarukyan, this is his first fight since securing a split-decision win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024. He was originally slated to challenge Islam Makhachev for the Lightweight Championship at UFC 311 in January, but pulled out just one day before the fight due to a back injury. Hooker is on a three-fight winning streak. He has been inactive due to hand injuries, but beat Mateusz Gamrot in his last fight at UFC 305 in August 2024. The winner will take themselves closer to a title shot, with Arman ready to face Topuria if the opportunity arises.

Arman’s Aim

“No, I don’t want to wait. If I perform very well [against Hooker] and the UFC said, ‘Can you fight in January?’ I’ll take that fight right away. It means everything for me. If I lose, I’ll lose everything. If I win, I win everything as well. So this is like a title fight for me. It’s five rounds, main event, and this fight, I must win and I get my title fight. It’s an important fight for me, and that’s why I’m focused. I’m very focused on this fight.

“I mean, he [Paddy Pimblett] doesn’t deserve to fight for the title. He’s got to beat someone from top-five, and like a top fighter. Not a guy who has three or four [fight losing streak]…UFC wants Paddy for sure, and they’re going to see how it plays plays out this Saturday, and then they’re going to figure out who is fighting. But it’s 100 percent not Gaethje. It’s Paddy or me,” Arman said