Lightweight powerhouse Arman Tsarukyan didn’t just beat Dan Hooker on Sunday morning — he made a statement loud enough for every contender at 155 to hear.
Tsarukyan entered the UFC Fight Night 265 main event with plenty of hype, and he left with the kind of momentum that firmly cements him as the No. 1 contender.
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From the start, he pressed Hooker backwards with powerful combinations, slick level changes and relentless pressure that never let the Kiwi settle.
Hooker, who had a huge hematoma on his forehead in the second round, attempted a guillotine but soon found himself on his back with Tsarukyan in control.
Tsarukyan battered Hooker with punches and elbows before locking up an arm-triangle choke and getting the tap.
Afterwards, the Armenian kept his message simple: he’s done waiting.
“Ilia [Topuria], if you’re here, come on,” he said.
“There is just one contender No. 1. It’s Arman Tsarukyan. Everybody knows I’ve got to fight for the title. I’m ready. End of January, send me contract, I’ll be there.”
“Nobody can stop me in the cage. I’m the best in the world and I’m going to be a champion. I work so hard, so smart, I dedicate all my life for this sport and it pays off this day.”
All signs had been pointing to Topuria defending his belt against Paddy Pimblett in early 2026, but if that fight doesn’t materialise, Tsarukyan just made a strong case that he should be first in line for the shot.
Whatever the timing, he’s shown he’s the real deal and shapes as the most genuine threat yet to Topuria’s grip on the lightweight throne.
Elsewhere on the card, Ian Machado Garry delivered a disciplined performance over three rounds to outpoint Belal Muhammad in the co-main event.
He mixed sharp striking with clever footwork, making it difficult for Muhammad to find his stride.
Muhammad tried to lean on his wrestling, but Garry shut down every takedown attempt.
“I just beat the No. 1 ranked contender,” Machado Garry said afterwards.
“Nobody else is ranked above him. Islam, I’m telling you right now, I’m the best in the world, and you have a duty to defend that belt against the best welterweight on the planet — and you’re looking at him.It’s Ian Machado Garry.
“You come into my division? Then you show up wherever you want in the world and I’ll be there. I’m taking that throne from you and I’m ending that continuous [win] streak.
“You’re done. There is nobody getting in the way of me and my future, and me and my dreams, so sign the contract and I will see you soon.”
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Garry won comfortably, but the lack of a show-stopping moment perhaps leaves a few questions about his readiness for a title run.
With Morales, Prates, and Makhachev raising the bar, Garry needed a big performance to cement himself as the clear next challenger – and it is still to be seen if he delivered.