I do not like his face

Dan Hooker fired contemporary pictures at Arman Tsarukyan forward of their struggle in Qatar. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the matchup as the principle occasion for the promotion’s debut in Qatar on Nov. 23, with the struggle set to form the 155-pound title image heading into 2026.

For Tsarukyan, this marks his first look of the 12 months after a turbulent 2025. He was initially lined as much as struggle Islam Makhachev for the belt at UFC 311 in January, however withdrew on the eve of the competition, with Renato Moicano stepping in.

He later weighed in because the backup at UFC 317 for the struggle between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. The Armenian-Russian contender has been ready for an additional likelihood to push again into the title combine.

Speaking concerning the rivalry with Tsarukyan in an interview with Submission Radio, Hooker mentioned:

“I feel there may be plenty of animosity there. I do not like the best way. I do not like his face. I do not like that his face is hooked up to his physique, and I’d like to separate the 2. I do not just like the bloke. I do not know something about him, however I hate every little thing he stands for. I am unable to wait to elbow him within the nostril. It does not damage, although, having that as a motivation to get in.”

He added:

“You are an expert, you are at all times going to be in coaching, you are at all times going to be in form, nevertheless it does not damage to make this comeback having that type of venom fueling you. If he comes inside arm’s vary to me, I’ll hit him. That is the lengthy and in need of it, and the struggle’s going to be off. If you happen to put me close to the man, I’ll try to hit him, throw issues at him and piss him off.”

Take a look at Dan Hooker’s feedback beneath (6:20):

Dan Hooker explains what separates his preventing fashion from Arman Tsarukyan’s

Dan Hooker has embraced the chance that Arman Tsarukyan may underrate his fashion. He framed the matchup as a conflict between a competitor who prioritises profitable and a fighter who values fight.

In his phrases, Tsarukyan is a strategist, whereas he thrives on chaos and exchanges that followers bear in mind. Talking within the aforementioned interview with Submission Radio, Hooker mentioned:

“I play the sport the best way I wish to play the sport. I wish to have wild fights and do thrilling stuff for the followers. I similar to to struggle. I am a fighter’s fighter. I wish to struggle greater than I wish to win, and that is simply one thing that he cannot perceive. He is a competitor. However I select to struggle like that. That is simply the best way that I select. I really feel like he could not be me if he wished to… He fights to be cool, and so folks give him consideration, and he will get likes on Instagram. I struggle as a result of it is in my blood.”