The Lightweight Shake-Up: Arman Tsarukyan's Road to Redemption

Arman Tsarukyan is back in the spotlight, aiming to reclaim his spot at the top of the lightweight division. His next challenge? A showdown with Dan Hooker in the main event of the UFC Qatar card. This fight is crucial for Tsarukyan, as it could determine his path to another title shot. Recently, Tsarukyan watched Islam Makhachev secure the welterweight title in a dominant performance. Makhachev's victory over Jack Della Maddalena was impressive, and Tsarukyan acknowledged the level Makhachev is at right now. He even questioned who could stop Makhachev, even at the higher weight class. Tsarukyan was supposed to face Makhachev for the lightweight title earlier this year, but an injury forced him to withdraw. This setback led to criticism from fans and even UFC CEO Dana White, who suggested Tsarukyan would have to "fight his way back" to a title shot. Reflecting on the injury, Tsarukyan admitted he learned a valuable lesson. "Don't overtrain, " he said. He realized that pushing too hard in training can lead to injuries and has since adjusted his approach, incorporating activities like hiking and biking to save energy. With Makhachev now out of the lightweight division, the landscape has changed. Ilia Topuria holds the title after his knockout victory over Charles Oliveira. Tsarukyan is okay with the current state of the division but expressed a preference for how things were earlier in the year. He believes Makhachev would have brought more competitive fights to the division. As Tsarukyan prepares for his fight with Hooker, he has a chance to prove himself and move closer to another title shot. The lightweight division is evolving, and Tsarukyan's performance will be a key factor in shaping its future.