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Arman Tsarukyan headbutted Dan Hooker during the final confrontation before their lightweight bout at UFC Qatar on Saturday.
The rivals have traded verbal jabs throughout the build-up as the winner hopes to secure the next title opportunity against defending champion Ilya Topuria.
With both men making weight on Friday, Tsarukyan delivered a headbutt to Hooker as they stared down the New Zealander as the New Zealander feinted and bounced in front of him.
Security quickly rushed to separate the fighters, and Hooker appeared unfazed by the altercation, as he was smiling and laughing.
“Let’s go, I like it, let’s do it,” Hooker said on stage.
Armenian Tsarukyan, 29, is the top-ranked lightweight in the division, but if he wins, he could be passed over for the title.
Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett or American Justin Gaethje would appear to be in a better position to fight Topuria.
Pimblett moved up the rankings to No. 5 this week despite not fighting since April.
Tsarukyan withdrew from his title match against then-champion Islam Makhachev last January due to a back injury, and his match against the 35-year-old Hooker was his first since his recovery.
“I will deliver great knockouts and then I will get my title,” Tsarukyan said.
Irishman Ian Machado Gary also increased weight for his welterweight fight against former champion Belal Muhammad.
A knockout performance from the 28-year-old could mean Machado Jarry outscores his welterweight rivals for a title shot.
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