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          Tsarukyan headbutts Hooker during faceoff before UFC Qatar clash

          • Brett OkamotoNov 21, 2025, 12:02 PM ET
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan, who is scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Qatar, headbutted his opponent, Dan Hooker, during a ceremonial weigh-in Friday.

          Tsarukyan (22-3) headbutted Hooker (24-12) as the two were meant to face off for the final time before their five-round fight. Hooker, of New Zealand, was not injured by the blow and even seemed to enjoy the hostilities.

          "Let's go, I love it," Hooker told UFC commentator Michael Bisping.

          Weigh-in altercations have become rare in the UFC. Tsarukyan, of Armenia, has a short history of outbursts, however. He was suspended and fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in 2024 after he threw a punch at a fan during his walkout to the Octagon at UFC 300 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The UFC is self-regulated in Qatar, so any fine or punishment for Friday's headbutt would have to come from the promotion itself.

          Tsarukyan is trying to solidify himself as a potential lightweight title challenger. He was booked to his first UFC title fight against then-champion Islam Makhachev in January, but was forced to withdraw the day before the fight after experiencing back spasms.

          Tsarukyan and Hooker are currently ranked No. 1 and No. 6, respectively, by the UFC in the lightweight division.