It’s a do-or-die state of affairs for Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar.
Using a four-fight win streak, Tsarukyan has already locked within the high spot within the light-weight rankings, setting the stage for a conflict with newly minted 155-pound titleholder Ilia Topuria. But when he fails in his Fight Night headliner against Dan Hooker this Saturday, it might spell catastrophe for the fighter who, by all accounts, is already the following man up.
“This battle means every thing for me,” Tsarukyan advised MMA Fighting. “If I lose, I lose every thing. If I win, I win every thing. It’s like a title battle for me—5 rounds, important occasion. I have to win and get my title shot. That’s why I’m very targeted on this battle.”
Tsarukyan was already imagined to money in on his title alternative in January, difficult then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. Nonetheless, Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight with 36 hours to go, citing a again damage as the rationale.
The withdrawal compelled the UFC to scramble for a alternative, finally reshuffling the highest of the cardboard and selling Renato Moicano from the primary card to the primary occasion. That didn’t sit effectively with Dana White, who insisted that Tsarukyan must go “again to the drafting board” earlier than incomes one other alternative.
Because it seems, ‘The Hangman’ is that drafting board.
Hooker goes into the competition as a sizeable underdog, however that hasn’t been a lot of a problem for the surging light-weight sensation as of late.
Hooker goes into the competition having received three in a row, together with back-to-back break up selections over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. If he can rating one other upset in Doha, he’ll probably leap the road, setting the stage for his first-ever UFC title battle — and additional delaying Tsarukyan’s long-awaited shot.
