Dan Hooker no longer holds a grudge with Arman Tsarukyan.
Hooker and Tsarukyan had some bad blood going into their UFC Qatar event back in Nov. 2025. When the two met face-to-face for the weigh-ins, Tsarukyan delivered a headbutt to Hooker, who recently claimed that the cheap shot gave him a broken nose. Tsarukyan ended up winning the fight via second-round submission.
After settling things inside the Octagon, Hooker is over his past issues with Tsarukyan. He also shared on “The Ariel Helwani Show” what he thinks is the unfortunate reality of his former foe’s current situation with UFC.
“I like Arman now,” Hooker said. “He’s won me over as a fan. The saddest part about it is that the best years of his career are being wasted, He should be fighting Ilia.”
Tsarukyan hasn’t exactly been on UFC’s good side since he failed to weigh in for a planned Jan. 2025 lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev. UFC CEO Dana White insists that there was another issue behind the scenes that has forced Tsarukyan to the back of the line.
Recently, Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett to capture the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. This has now earned Gaethje a title unification bout against Ilia Topuria, who is on hiatus. There’s no telling when exactly Topuria will make his return, but Tsarukyan continues to wait for his opportunity.
As for Hooker, while he may have squashed his beef with Tsarukyan, his issues with Pimblett are ongoing. The two have traded personal barbs, but Hooker told Helwani that he won’t hold out to fight “The Baddy” over a war of words. “The Hangman” said there are other fights at 155 pounds that also make sense for him.
What’s next for Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan? Give us your prediction in the comment section below.
