For the first time, the UFC arrived in Qatar, hosting an event full of decisive finishes and key contender clashes at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena. Fans witnessed thrilling fights that shaped multiple divisions.
Qatar became the third Middle Eastern country to host the UFC after the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The promotion recently returned to the region for UFC 321, which ended with a no contest in the heavyweight clash between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
The main event featured lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan returned after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He had been scheduled to challenge then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 but withdrew due to a back injury during weight cutting. Hooker entered the fight off his UFC 305 win over Mateusz Gamrot.
The co-main event showcased welterweight contenders Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry. Muhammad competed for the first time since losing the welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Machado Garry rebounded from his first professional loss with a victory in Kansas City this April against Carlos Prates.
Who impressed in Qatar, and who fell short? Let’s break down the hits and misses from UFC Qatar.
Ismael Naudriev ignites the prelims
After losing to Park Jun-yong at UFC Baku, Ismael Naudriev needed a strong performance. He delivered one by stopping Ryan Loder in the prelims. Naudriev first landed a right hand, then followed with a perfect second strike, knocking Loder out cold.
Naudriev now holds a 2-1 record in his second UFC stint, improving from his earlier 2-2 run. Another decisive victory could solidify his comeback and show his growth since the first UFC tenure.
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyave repeats Contender Series magic
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyave impressed again in his UFC debut. After missing a high kick, he landed another strike and a right hand, then took Rafael Cerqueira to the ground and finished with a choke submission.
Yakhyave previously scored a 30-second finish on the Contender Series last August. Another strong UFC performance could make him one of the most exciting undercard fighters to watch.
Asu Almabayev uses strategy to score submission
In a top-10 flyweight clash, Asu Almabayev turned the tide against Alex Perez with a guillotine choke. Perez dominated the first two rounds with striking and takedown attempts, but Almabayev defended and stayed patient.
In the third round, Almabayev caught Perez with the guillotine and secured the submission. With a 6-1 UFC record, Almabayev positions himself near the top flyweight rankings, potentially a few wins away from a title challenge.
Luke Riley electrifies with knockout debut
Luke Riley faced early struggles against Bogdan Grad, who used takedowns and grappling to control the opening round. Riley landed a left hand early in the second round, followed by precise follow-up strikes to score the knockout.
Riley arrives in the UFC undefeated at 11-0 from Cage Warriors. His debut proved he can excite fans and secure victories at the highest level despite early holes in his game.
Kyoji Horiguchi marks triumphant return
Kyoji Horiguchi returned to the UFC after nine years and immediately proved he belongs among the top flyweights. He controlled the second round against Tagir Ulanbekov with strikes and ground control, then finished him with a head kick and choke in the third round.
Horiguchi captured titles in RIZIN and Bellator while away and now sets the stage for another potential UFC flyweight title run.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta keeps momentum with first-round knockout
Cortes-Acosta learned he would fight just days before UFC Qatar and made weight at 266 pounds. He stunned Shamil Gaziev early, then finished him with a single right hand for another first-round knockout.
Cortes-Acosta has fought five times this year, winning four bouts. His consistency positions him as a contender for upcoming high-profile heavyweight matchups.
Jack Hermansson struggles with weight cut
Jack Hermansson’s move down to 170 pounds backfired. After a knockout loss to Gregory Rodrigues, Hermansson struggled with the weight cut and was knocked out by Myktybek Orolbai.
He should return to 185 pounds or consider retirement. The welterweight move put his health and career at serious risk.
Volkan Oezdemir shows he still has power
Volkan Oezdemir, at 36, proved he can still compete at the top. Against Alonzo Menifield, he applied pressure, trapped him near the cage, and landed combinations until the referee stopped the fight.
Oezdemir remains a strong light heavyweight contender, posing a tough test for anyone aiming for the top ten.
Ian Garry confirms elite status
Ian Garry impressed with his win over Belal Muhammad. He defended against takedowns, controlled striking exchanges, and earned the decision victory.
This performance establishes Garry as a top contender in the welterweight division and potentially positions him for a future title shot.
Belal Muhammad faces uphill battle
Belal Muhammad has lost momentum since winning the welterweight title. After losing to Jack Della Maddalena and falling to Ian Garry, he faces a difficult path back to the top.
He remains a top-10 fighter, but new champions and younger contenders make regaining title contention challenging.
Arman Tsarukyan remains top lightweight contender
Arman Tsarukyan dominated Dan Hooker in the main event, winning via arm-triangle choke despite a controversial headbutt. He controlled the fight after the first round, neutralizing Hooker’s submission attempts and landing effective strikes.
Tsarukyan stays the No. 1 lightweight contender. A matchup against Ilia Topuria could be the UFC’s most compelling option if Topuria advances past his first challenger.
