The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) made its debut in Qatar on Saturday, November 23rd, staging a successful event at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena (ABHA Arena) in Doha. The event, a significant milestone for the promotion, drew a capacity crowd eager to witness two high-stakes bouts in the lightweight and welterweight divisions, bolstering Qatar’s growing reputation as a hub for international combat sports and showcasing the rising popularity of mixed martial arts in the region. This UFC event provided key matchups as fighters position themselves for title contention in 2025.
Arman Tsarukyan and Ian Machado Garry emerged victorious in the main and co-main events respectively, significantly impacting the divisional rankings. The event marks a strategic expansion for the UFC into the Middle East, opening up new markets and fan engagement opportunities. Prior to Saturday, the Middle East region has seen previous UFC events in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.
Tsarukyan Dominates, Calls for Title Shot After UFC Doha Win
Arman Tsarukyan further solidified his claim as a top lightweight contender with a decisive second-round submission win over veteran Dan Hooker. The Armenian-born fighter secured an arm-triangle choke at 3:34 of the second round, delivering a dominant performance that emphasized his grappling prowess and control.
With the victory, Tsarukyan extends his winning streak to five fights, with 10 wins in his last 11 outings. He currently holds the No. 1 ranking in the lightweight division and immediately called for a championship opportunity following the fight, specifically targeting current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria for a bout scheduled near the end of January.
Machado Garry’s Career-Defining Victory
In the co-main event, Ian Machado Garry secured a unanimous decision victory over Belal Muhammad, marking the biggest win of his professional career. The three-round contest proved competitive, with both fighters displaying tactical striking and grappling throughout.
Although neither fighter managed a clear-cut advantage or finished the fight, the judges ultimately favored Machado Garry with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. This win propels Machado Garry closer to a potential title shot in the welterweight division, establishing him as a serious threat to current champion Leon Edwards. He represents an exciting new talent emerging in the mixed martial arts world.
Beyond the main event stars, UFC Doha showcased a range of talent and delivered several exciting finishes. Volkan Oezdemir earned a first-round knockout against Alonzo Menifield, while Myktybek Orolbai and Waldo Cortes Acosta also scored impressive first-round KO victories. Kyoji Horiguchi secured a submission win in the third round, rounding out the main card highlights.
The week leading up to the Doha event was filled with activities designed to engage fans and highlight the city as a sporting destination. These attractions included open workouts at Old Doha Port, a dedicated UFC gaming zone at Place Vendôme Mall, and the official weigh-in ceremony. These events contributed to a vibrant atmosphere and helped generate significant interest in the event.
The UFC’s inaugural event in Qatar wasn’t limited to fights within the octagon. It attracted notable international celebrities, actors, media personalities, and even former UFC champions to the ABHA Arena, adding to the event’s prestige and visibility. This event may encourage further investment in combat sports in the region.
Looking ahead, the UFC will closely monitor the fallout from UFC Doha and assess potential future events in Qatar. The promotion’s decision regarding a return will likely hinge on fan engagement, sponsorship opportunities, and the availability of suitable dates on the sporting calendar. The future trajectory of Tsarukyan and Machado Garry will also be critical to watch as they pursue championship contests against Topuria and Edwards respectively.
Main card results:
Arman Tsarukyan def. Dan Hooker — Submission (arm-triangle choke), 3:34 R2
Ian Machado Garry def. Belal Muhammad — Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Volkan Oezdemir def. Alonzo Menifield — KO (strikes), 1:27 R1
Myktybek Orolbai def. Jack Hermansson — KO (right hand), 2:46 R1
Waldo Cortes Acosta def. Shamil Gaziev — KO (right hand), 1:22 R1
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Tagir Ulanbekov — Submission (rear-naked choke), 2:18 R3
Preliminary card results:
Luke Riley def. Bogdan Grad — KO (left hook and punches), 0:30 R2
Nicolas Dalby def. Saygid Izagakhmaev — Split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Rafael Cerqueira — Submission (rear-naked choke), 0:33 R1
Aleksandre Topuria def. Bekzat Almakhan — Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Ismail Naurdiev def. Ryan Loder — KO (right hook), 1:26 R1
Nurullo Aliev def. Shem Rock — Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Denzel Freeman def. Marek Bujlo — Unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
