There’s just one UFC pay-per-view left this yr, however that doesn’t imply there aren’t different remaining playing cards that might tremendously have an effect on the promotion’s 2026 plans.
UFC Qatar on Saturday options two potential No. 1 contender bouts, as Arman Tsarukyan goals to defend his prime light-weight spot towards Dan Hooker in the primary occasion, whereas former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad appears to be like to cease a dropping streak earlier than it begins when he takes on “The Future” Ian Machado Garry. It’s secure to say if any of those gents ship a formidable efficiency, they could possibly be subsequent in line to problem for gold.
However how spectacular have they got to be? Can Tsarukyan grind out a choice over Hooker, or does he have to point out that he’s in a unique league? Can Hooker leapfrog the contender line if he places Tsarukyan down for the rely? Is Muhammad one win away from combating for the title once more or is he a non-factor within the eyes of the matchmakers? And what does Garry must do to ascertain himself as the favourite in a rollicking welterweight division?
All that, plus the return of Kyoji Horiguchi, Jack Hermansson venturing right down to 170 kilos for the primary time, and Waldo Cortes-Acosta reserving his fifth combat of 2025 on simply three days’ discover.
The place: Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Area in Doha, Qatar
When: Saturday, Nov. 22. The eight-fight preliminary card begins at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight important card at 1 p.m. ET additionally on ESPN+.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing within the MMA Combating International Rankings and MMA Combating Pound-For-Pound Rankings)
Arman Tsarukyan (2, P4P-14) vs. Dan Hooker (7)
Hey, did you take pleasure in Islam Makhachev and Valentina Shevchenko sucking the souls out of their opponents? What about Khamzat Chimaev grounding Dricus du Plessis for 25 minutes? Have I obtained the combat for you!
Arman Tsarukyan has a number of paths to victory, but when he believes securing a win within the most secure method potential is sufficient to protect his No. 1 rating, then there’s no motive he ought to deviate from the apparent recreation plan of taking Dan Hooker down early and infrequently. Now, Hooker isn’t straightforward to outwrestle, and it takes somebody Islam Makhachev to fully dominate him on the bottom, however Tsarukyan isn’t far off from that stage. If he’s decided to grapple, there isn’t so much Hooker can do to cease him.
So long as Hooker is standing, he could make this combat fascinating, and Tsarukyan could possibly be setting himself up for an enormous letdown if he’s even barely off his recreation. Once more, I consider wrestling is the “most secure” method for Tsarukyan to strategy this, however that’s not the identical as straightforward. There’s nothing straightforward about diving into the wood-chipper that’s Hooker’s hanging recreation.
I’ve Tsarukyan successful a choice and no, I’ve no clue if this in any method ensures him a title shot, particularly with the UFC’s 2026 plans nonetheless up within the air.
Belal Muhammad (T3, P4P-11) vs. Ian Machado Garry (6)
Is it actually over for Belal Muhammad?
Wait… I’m having déjà vu. Proper, we simply went by way of an identical dance with Leon Edwards and Carlos Prates final week. And I picked Edwards to win.
Even so, I’m selecting Muhammad to win, too. You thought I used to be truly going to study one thing?
Ian Machado Garry has a golden alternative in entrance of him, because the oddsmakers have him pegged to get previous Muhammad and probably emerge on the prime of the welterweight contender pile. He hits laborious, makes use of his bodily instruments effectively, and is not any slouch in terms of grappling. It’s that final ingredient that might show key to holding Muhammad off, as a result of Muhammad ought to combine the martial arts right here and make the most of some Cormier wrestling to associate with his “Canelo fingers.”
Mixing it up is what Muhammad is greatest at and seeing him combat so one-dimensionally towards Jack Della Maddalena was irritating. If he solely makes use of his standup with Garry, he’s leaving his destiny within the fingers of the MMA Gods, they usually hardly ever proven mercy in terms of growing old veterans.
Garry is saying all the proper issues about ending Muhammad and staking his declare to the No. 1 contender spot and if he pulls it off, nobody can be stunned. I’m simply not able to rely Muhammad out but (rattling, that sounds acquainted).
Volkan Oezdemir (12) vs. Alonzo Menifield
I see a fighter inclined to being KO’d, I see them combating Volkan Oezdemir, I decide Volkan Oezdemir.
Alonzo Menifield has struggled to tug the set off in recent times, and that performs completely into Oezdemir’s technique as he takes a minute or two to get a learn on his opponents. As soon as he does, although, it’s sometimes lights out and I don’t see Menifield having the protection or agility to remain out of the way in which as soon as Oezdemir locks in and begins throwing. It requires a sure diploma of unpredictability to get Oezdemir off of his recreation and that’s not Menifield’s
There’s part of me that’s frightened this gentle heavyweight combat may get actual middleweight-y, however I’m trusting Menifield to do the proper factor and search for a end, which can solely go away the door open for Oezdemir to chop him off and shut him down.
Jack Hermansson vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Jack Hermansson at 170? Don’t like it!
“The Joker” appeared effective on the size and also you need to consider he’s good sufficient to to not do something deleterious to his well being, however a weight class change at this stage of the sport feels a bit of determined. He isn’t being given a layup both, as Myktybek Orolbai appears to be like make a everlasting transfer as much as 170 kilos after losing his time struggling to constantly make the light-weight restrict.
Orolbai is a sturdy, well-rounded fighter, and he’s going to push the tempo early to see if Hermansson dropping an additional 15 kilos has any impact on his efficiency. Hermansson will use his size to frustrate Orolbai and certain keep away from a brawl if Orolbai makes an attempt to attract him into one. Can Hermansson’s technical strengths stave off Orolbai for there rounds?
I’ve wished Orolbai to make the transfer to welterweight for a while, and I don’t assume anybody can say the identical for Hermansson. Orolbai by determination.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (8) vs. Shamil Gaziev
The “Salsa Boy” vibes are immaculate! I’m not selecting towards him!
Admittedly, this looks as if a foul thought for Waldo Cortes-Acosta. He’s taking a combat on three days’ discover, he simply fought three weeks in the past, and he obtained type of fortunate that referee Mark Smith intervened to save lots of him from an eye fixed poke-punches knockout mixture by the hands of Ante Delija. A wiser fighter might need cashed of their chips and appeared forward to 2026.
However not Cortes-Acosta! He’s all-in on 2025 and will finish the yr an astonishing 4-1 if he upsets Shamil Gaziev. It’s a tall order given Gaziev has a truck for a proper hand and he gained’t hesitate to wrestle with Cortes-Acosta if it involves it. I’d argue Cortes-Acosta is a big step up in competitors, although, so there could possibly be an adjustment interval, particularly given Cortes-Acosta’s typically unorthodox motion.
Frequent sense says decide Gaziev, however did I point out the vibes?
Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (4)
I’m seeing loads of takes saying this can be a nightmare matchup for Kyoji Horiguchi’s UFC return and to these individuals, I’ve one query: How dare you?
Horiguchi has been among the finest lighter weight fighters on the earth for the higher a part of the final decade. He additionally has loads of expertise combating larger guys, so despite the fact that Tagir Ulanbekov has a transparent measurement benefit, I’m not deterred in my perception Horiguchi could have a victorious begin to his second UFC run. Simply have a look at how his two fights with Darrion Caldwell went. Caldwell was big in comparison with Horiguchi and, sure, Caldwell spent plenty of these fights working from prime place, he additionally misplaced each of them as a result of Horiguchi is aware of how you can work out of unhealthy positions and maximize his offense.
I count on Ulanbekov to tower over Horiguchi and I’m not saying that is a straightforward win for Horiguchi in any respect. If something, Ulanbekov is perhaps the best-kept secret at flyweight and could possibly be only one or two signature wins away from difficult for a prime 5 spot. He’s very, very, very, excellent at what he does.
However Horiguchi’s velocity and expertise will make the distinction, to not point out his oft-overlooked ending skill. Overlook simply pulling off an upset, I’m predicting a knockout win for Horiguchi.
Luke Riley def. Bogdan Grad
Saygid Izagakhmaev def. Nicolas Dalby
Asu Almabayev (11) def. Alex Perez (T12)
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Raffael Cerqueira
Bekzat Almakhan def. Aleksandre Topuria
Ismail Naurdiev def. Ryan Loder
Nurullo Aliev def. Shem Rock
Denzel Freeman def. Marek Bujlo
