UFC Makes Historic Debut in Qatar with Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker

DOHA, Qatar – The UFC made its debut in Qatar on November 22, bringing thrilling preliminary fights to the ABHA Arena. The event kicked off with a battle of heavyweight newcomers, Denzel Freeman and Marek Bujlo.

Freeman secured a victory, improving his record to 7-1, while Bujlo faced his first professional defeat. The fight saw both debutants exchange low kicks and jabs, with Freeman’s striking ultimately leading to a win on the scorecards.

In the lightweight division, Nurullo Aliev dominated his bout, showcasing his improved striking against Liverpool’s debutant. Aliev, now 11-0, used his wrestling and striking to control the match, solidifying his status as a rising prospect in the 155-pound category.

The middleweight clash saw Ismail Naurdiev deliver a stunning first-round knockout, reminding fans of his potential. His power became evident as he swiftly ended the fight with a formidable right hand, elevating his record to 2-1 with the UFC.

Meanwhile, Aleksandre Topuria faced Bezkat Almakhan, utilizing his striking skills to control the flow of the match. With a dominant performance, Topuria advanced to 7-1, setting him up for future opportunities in the bantamweight division.

Debutant Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev made waves with the fastest submission in UFC light heavyweight history, finishing Rafael Cerqueira in just 30 seconds. Yakhyaev, hailing from Chechnya, displayed his diverse skill set and looks to be a promising addition to the roster.

Asu Almabayev showcased his grappling prowess by submitting Alex Perez in the third round, marking his sixth win in seven UFC appearances. This victory positions Almabayev as a significant contender in the flyweight division.

In a thrilling welterweight matchup, Nicolas Dalby edged out Saygid Izagakhmaev via split decision. This win marked a strong comeback for Dalby, especially following his first knockout loss last fight.

Rounding out the prelims, Luke Riley made a memorable UFC debut with a knockout victory over Bogdan Grad. The Liverpool native now boasts a record of 12-0, showcasing his promise as a featherweight prospect.

UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker will feature a main event that could change the lightweight title landscape, highlighted by the anticipated bout between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker.