Tag: arman tsarukyan

Dan Hooker asks for fight with Arman Tsarukyan after UFC 305 win: ‘I’m gonna smash his face’

Dan Hooker asks for fight with Arman Tsarukyan after UFC 305 win: 'I'm gonna smash his face'Now riding an impressive three-fight winning spree off the back of his split decision win over perennial contender, Mateusz…

Dan Hooker asks for fight with Arman Tsarukyan after UFC 305 win: 'I'm gonna smash his face'

Now riding an impressive three-fight winning spree off the back of his split decision win over perennial contender, Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 over the course of the weekend, stalwart lightweight, Dan Hooker has called his shot for a matchup with top challenger, Arman Tsarukyan next.

Hooker, who is likely set to crack the top-5 rankings at the lightweight limit off the back of his split judging win over Polish talent, Gamrot over the course of the weekend at UFC 305 – staked his claim for a whole bunch of opponents next.

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Outworking the former two-weight KSW gold holder, Gamrot over the course of three rounds ‘Downunder’, City Kickboxing staple, Hooker called for a fight with symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway, as well as former champions, Charles Oliveira, and Conor McGregor to boot.

Dan Hooker calls for Arman Tsarukyan fight after UFC 305

Furthermore, weighing up a potential fight with top-contender, Tsarukyan – who has missed out on his own title re-run with an injured Islam Makhachev, Hooker boldly vowed to “smash” the Armenian if they meet in the future.

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“I couldn’t care less, I like even all of them, bro,” Dan Hooker told The Mac Life. “Even Arman (Tsarukyan). I said to Hunter (Campbell), I said to Sean (Shelby), I’d like to fight Arman because yeah, screw it. You know?”

“…I said I hate the prick,” Dan Hooker said of Tsarukyan. “I told Hunter, I said, ‘I’m gonna smash his face…’ And I said ‘I hate the dog…” He’s a prick, he’s been talking sh*t for years.”

UFC 305 bonuses: Dan Hooker scoops extra $50,000 for big win over Mateusz Gamrot

With his win against Gamrot, Auckland native, Hooker lands his third consecutive victory, following a prior judging win over fellow contender, Jalin Turner, and a body kick knockout win over Peruvian contender, Claudio Puelles. 

Charles Oliveira plans October return, Arman Tsarukyan title rematch: ‘I really want that’

Charles Oliveira plans October return, Arman Tsarukyan title rematch: 'I really want that'Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has revealed he expects news regarding his return to action to come soon…

Charles Oliveira plans October return, Arman Tsarukyan title rematch: 'I really want that'

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has revealed he expects news regarding his return to action to come soon – as he targets both a comeback as soon as October, and an interim title rematch with former-foe, Arman Tsarukyan.

Oliveira, the current number two ranked divisional contender, most recently featured at UFC 300 back in April, suffering a controversial split decision loss against Armenian contender, Tsarukyan in a close defeat in the pair’s officially billed title-eliminator.

Charles Oliveira eyes August return to UFC after shutting down fake fight with Dan Hooker

Expected to make his return in the main event of UFC 308 in a title rematch against common-foe, Islam Makhachev next, Tsarukyan saw the pairing fall to the wayside amid an unspecified arm injury for the Russian, who may be ruled out until the beginning of next year.

Charles Oliveira eyes Arman Tsarukyan rematch fight

And while Sao Paulo finishing star, Charles Oliveira has weighed up a potential welterweight divisional leap in his return amid links to a showdown with former interim gold holder, Colby Covington – he has now confirmed plans to fight before the end of the annum, ideally against Tsarukyan in an immediate rematch.

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“Charles Oliveira says that “something new will come out soon” regarding fight news, and says he thinks he’ll fight in October or November,” Championship Rounds posted on their official X account. “He also has expressed interest in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan: “That would be good, I really want that.”

While Charles Oliveira has stressed his desire to take on Tsarukyan in a rematch title fight – would-be common-opponent, Dustin Poirier has also revealed if push came to shove, he would welcome the chance to take on his American Top Team stablemate for gold, too.

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“I’m supposed to have surgery on my nose in October but like, if I’ve made a decision or something popped up I could push it back or whatever,” Dustin Poirier said. “I’m just thinking, who is there for me to fight, but I’ve just got to do the 30 days, get in shape and get back on the mats hard, I haven’t been able to grapple.”

“I wonder what they’re [the UFC] are going to do, is Arman (Tsarukyan) gonna continue to wait for Islam (Makhachev)?” Dustin Poirier continued. “I don’t know when Islam’s gonna be back but I saw a thing that said he might have to have surgery so we’ll see, man. The lightweight division has been so crazy over these past years. Yeah for sure [an interim title fight with Tsarukyan] interests me.”

Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters

Dan Hooker believes the UFC lightweight division’s reputation as an all-action weight class has been hampered by the rise of a few names. Hooker is among the most notable names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The New Zealander […]

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters at MMA News.

Dan Hooker believes the UFC lightweight division’s reputation as an all-action weight class has been hampered by the rise of a few names.

Hooker is among the most notable names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The New Zealander will be making his return from injury 13 months on from his victory over Jalin Turner.

His frequent calls to secure a spot on the upcoming card Down Under were eventually answered in the form of a showdown with top-five contender Mateusz Gamrot. “The Hangman” will enter as a sizable underdog against “Gamer,” who has come under criticism in recent times for his control-heavy fight style.

Although Gamrot has promised to deliver fireworks this time around in order to stake his claim for a title shot, Hooker fully expects him to shoot and hold on for dear life.

And more than just Gamrot, the lightweight veteran believes a number of names high up the ladder took over the division by stifling those who have long kept up its reputation as an entertaining roster.

Hooker: Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, & Others ‘Stifled’ By Lightweight Grabbers

During a recent interview on the FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Hooker looked ahead to his opportunity to climb back into title contention at 155 pounds and assessed the current state of the weight class’ top five.

“The Hangman” put his upcoming opponent alongside champion Islam Makhachev and top contender Arman Tsarukyan as three names who moved toward the lightweight mountaintop by smothering any and all exciting styles.

“I guess it’s like the elites — not necessarily the elites, but lightweight is such a stacked division, there’s so many exciting fighters, (Charles) Oliveira, (Justin) Gaethje, (Dustin) Poirier, (Jalin) Turner, (Michael) chandler; there’s a lot of very exciting fighters within that,” Hooker said. “But now you can see the guys that — because obviously being an exciting fighter, wanting to go out there and perform, put on a show, put on an incredible fight for the fans, you need the other guy to oblige.

“If I go out there and say, ‘I just wanna go out there, slang some leather, put on an exciting fight,’ and the other guy’s plan is to just grab ahold of me and stifle me until he wins, then he’s gonna win,” Hooker continued. “I feel like the top echelon of the lightweight division now with Islam, Arman, and Gamrot is the guys that have just stifled the division. That’s why the lightweight division is in such a weird place now. These guys have been able to stifle the exciting guys.”

Hooker will look to put a stop to that trend and avoid being “stifled” by Gamrot at UFC 305 this Saturday night (Sunday morning local time).

Should he accomplish that feat in what he’s promised will be the “most exciting fight” that the Polish athlete has been in, “The Hangman” would no doubt find himself back in the championship mix at 155 pounds.

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters at MMA News.

UFC Full Fight: Relive Mateusz Gamrot’s Win Over Top Contender Arman Tsarukyan Ahead Of UFC 305

UFC 305 fighter Mateusz Gamrot broke into contention in the lightweight division by emerging from a high-level main event with his hand raised just over two years ago. The #5-ranked contender at 155 pounds will return on the main card of this weekend’s pay-per-view event at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, where he’s tasked with getting […]

Continue Reading UFC Full Fight: Relive Mateusz Gamrot’s Win Over Top Contender Arman Tsarukyan Ahead Of UFC 305 at MMA News.

UFC 305 fighter Mateusz Gamrot broke into contention in the lightweight division by emerging from a high-level main event with his hand raised just over two years ago.

The #5-ranked contender at 155 pounds will return on the main card of this weekend’s pay-per-view event at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, where he’s tasked with getting the better of Dan Hooker if he’s to make it four wins on the bounce and maintain his position in the title picture.

Before a defeat to Beneil Dariush stalled his surge toward the top, “Gamer” established himself high up the division by getting the better of memorable UFC Fight Night main event opposite Arman Tsarukyan, who has since risen to #1 in the rankings.

The pair of European standouts battled it out across a competitive five rounds of action inside the Apex, with the Polish fighter ultimately falling on the right side of all three scorecards.

Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Gamrot vs. Tsarukyan fight from UFC Vegas 57 on its official YouTube channel.

Gamrot will hope to similarly impress with his performance this weekend and stake his claim for a first-time shot at the lightweight title.

Having come under criticism for his control-heavy style in recent times, “Gamer” has acknowledged the need to deliver fireworks with his display opposite Hooker if he’s to secure a more favorable position in the “politics” that decide championship opportunities in the UFC.

Continue Reading UFC Full Fight: Relive Mateusz Gamrot’s Win Over Top Contender Arman Tsarukyan Ahead Of UFC 305 at MMA News.

Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Interim Title Talk Amid Islam Makhachev Injury: ‘He’s Fought Twice Very Recently!’ 

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier doesn’t think the idea of an interim lightweight title should be entertained while Islam Makhachev recovers. Makhachev cemented his grip on the crown earlier this summer when he put a stop to the late-career title ambitions of fan favorite Dustin Poirier at the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark. But […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Interim Title Talk Amid Islam Makhachev Injury: ‘He’s Fought Twice Very Recently!’  at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier doesn’t think the idea of an interim lightweight title should be entertained while Islam Makhachev recovers.

Makhachev cemented his grip on the crown earlier this summer when he put a stop to the late-career title ambitions of fan favorite Dustin Poirier at the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark.

But the Dagestani may need to wait until 2025 before adding the name of another top contender at 155 pounds to his reign’s list of victims. While he was originally expected to defend the belt in a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan this October in Abu Dhabi, an injury has scuppered those plans.

According to the challenger, either December or early 2025 are the two estimates for the champ’s return. And should the latter of those come to fruition, the Russian-Armenian is open to competing for an interim title in the meantime.

That suggestion, however, has not gone down well with one former fighter-turned-color commentator…

Cormier On Tsarukyan’s Interim Title Proposal: ‘Why Are We Creating Belts?!’

During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier reacted to confirmation that injury will keep Makhachev out of UFC 308 this fall.

After revealing a conversation in which Makhachev told him that recovery won’t take too long, Cormier rejected suggestions that an interim champ should be crowned in the Dagestani’s brief absence.

Cormier pointed to Makhachev’s recent activity to push back on the interim title talk.

“You get hurt, at times. Islam Makhachev has been active. He fought in October in Abu Dhabi against Alexander Volkanovski. He fought in (June) in Newark…fought Dustin Poirier,” Cormier said. “He’s fought twice very recently. If he was to fight in October, it would have been three fights in a calendar year.

“There is no need for an interim championship. Chael, when in the world did we start to speak titles into existence?” Cormier continued. “Could you imagine, Chael, if when you were chasing down Anderson Silva and you go, ‘Well I’ll fight for an interim title if he ain’t ready in six months!’ … Who does Tsarukyan fight for the interim championship? It’s like, why are we creating belts, or trying (to)? … It just doesn’t need to be.”

In terms of the “who” aspect of Cormier’s remarks, Tsarukyan name-dropped Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Michael Chandler as potential options for an interim title showdown in the coming months.

It remains to be seen whether the UFC will fall on Tsarukyan or Cormier’s side. Should the promotion avoid an additional belt, the top lightweight contender would also appear content waiting a little longer for his first opportunity at achieving champ status on MMA’s biggest stage.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Pushes Back On Interim Title Talk Amid Islam Makhachev Injury: ‘He’s Fought Twice Very Recently!’  at MMA News.

Tsarukyan targets interim title bout with Islam Makhachev out: ‘Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler – doesn’t matter’

Tsarukyan Targets Interim Title Bout with Islam Makhachev Out: 'Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler – Doesn't MatterSurging lightweight title challenger, Arman Tsarukyan still has plans to compete for a title in his next outing –…

Tsarukyan Targets Interim Title Bout with Islam Makhachev Out: 'Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler – Doesn't Matter

Surging lightweight title challenger, Arman Tsarukyan still has plans to compete for a title in his next outing – albeit interim, with current undisputed champion, Islam Makhachev sidelined through an unspecified arm injury ahead of a targeted October matchup.

Tsarukyan, the current number one ranked lightweight challenger, earned his planned rematch fight against current pound-for-pound number one, Islam Makhachev back in April at UFC 300, taking out Charles Oliveira in a title-eliminator clash.

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Besting the Brazilian over the course of three rounds in a controversial split decision win, Armenia native, Tsarukyan was expected to take on the above-mentioned, Islam Makhachev at UFC 308 in October, until the latter was ruled out amid an arm injury.

Coach backs Islam Makhachev to make huge middleweight move: 'He's that good'

In his place comes an undisputed featherweight title fight as the unbeaten, Ilia Topuria takes on former gold holder, Max Holloway in the pair’s grudge fight in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Arman Tsarukyan welcomes fights other than Islam Makhachev

However, amid claims from most recent title challenger, Dustin Poirier how he would take on his American Top Team stablemate, Tsarukyan in an interim championship fight, Tsarukyan has welcomed the chance to fight a host of contenders for interim spoils next.

Arman Tsarukyan hit with nine month suspension by NSAC for altercation with fan at UFC 300
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“If Islam (Makhachev) can’t fight this year, for sure, I would like to fight for the interim title,” Arman Tsarukyan told Submission Radio. “Doesn’t matter who is gonna be in front of me. Dustin Poirier is a soldi fighter and he has a lot of experience. Yeah, it would be great. Dustin, (Justin) Gaethje, Michael Chandler as well. But, my focus [is] on Islam.”

Unbeaten in his last four straight fights, prior to his split judging win over Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira – Tsarukyan had stopped perennial contender, Beneil Dariush with a stunning first round knockout in his sophomore headliner with the promotion back in December at UFC Fight Night Austin.