Tsarukyan headbutts Hooker at UFC Qatar weigh-in

In the final confrontation before their lightweight fight at UFC Qatar on Saturday, Arman Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker.

The winner hopes to defend her title against reigning champion Ilia Topuria in the next round of verbal exchanges.

Tsarukyan aimed a headbutt at Hooker as the New Zealanderer fumbled and bounced in front of him as the two men were gaining weight on Friday.

Hooker appeared content, smiling and laughing as the security personnel rushed in to break the fighters’ hold.

Hooker said on stage, “Let’s go, I love it – bring it on.”

Tsarukyan, 29, is the division’s top-ranked lightweight, but he might be beaten out if he wins.

Topuria might face Canadian Paddy Pimblett or American Justin Gaethje in a more advantageous position.

Despite not having fought since April, Pimblett moved up the rankings to fifth this week.

Tsarukyan’s title fight against Islam Makhachev, who defeated him in the previous fight due to a back injury, was his first since recovering.

Tsarukyan said, “I will show great knockout and will win my title next.”

Ian Machado Garry, who lost to Belal Muhammad in the previous fight at welterweight, also gained weight.