UFC FIGHT NIGHT TSARUKYAN VS HOOKER
UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker: Full Card Breakdown and Honest Takeaways
What’s up, fight fans? I’m here to break down the UFC Fight Night main card from last night, headlined by Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. If you love the thrill of big knockouts, technical grappling, and watching some seasoned veterans do their thing, buckle up because we’re diving into all the big moments, surprises, and what might come next for some of your favorite fighters.
Quick Overview of the Card
Before breaking each scrap down, here’s a look at the major fights we’ll be covering:
- Kyoji Horiguchi’s UFC return
- Nicolas Dalby’s gritty performance
- Volkan Oezdemir’s knockout power against Alonzo Menifield
- Jack Hermansson’s risky drop to 170
- Co-main: Ian Garry vs. Belal Muhammad
- Main event: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker
Kyoji Horiguchi Returns: Making a Statement
The Comeback Story
First up, let’s talk about Kyoji Horiguchi’s return to the UFC. He was up against a tough Russian fighter, whose last name I can never pronounce (seriously, these Russian names trip me up every time). The Russian was ranked #11 in the world, so this was a legit test for Horiguchi after years away from the UFC.
Horiguchi wasn’t just a prospect before he left the UFC; he was the real deal—a number one contender who’d challenged Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for the title. Before heading to Bellator and Rizin for more money, he was 7-1 in the UFC and always a threat in the division.
How Did He Look?
He looked phenomenal. Didn’t seem like he’d lost a step at all, and his timing, movement, and fight IQ were all there.
“...he wasn’t just some prospect that lost and had to fight his way back. He was a number one contender. Fought Mighty Mouse for the title.”
I’m curious to see how he stacks up against the other contenders at 125, but no doubt in my mind—he’s still world class. Props to Horiguchi on the big UFC return!
Nicolas Dalby Edges Out Saygid Izagakhmaev
The Fight
Next on the card, Nicolas Dalby took on another Russian opponent Saygid Izagakhmaev. This one wasn’t a barnburner—lots of grappling, not much in the way of wild exchanges—but it was tight.
Dalby ended up getting the split decision in a fight that could’ve honestly gone either way.
Why This Was Cool
Dalby is 41 years old! Just seeing a veteran at that age still able to grind out wins against tough opponents is awesome.
- Tons of grappling exchanges
- Split decision that could’ve swung either way
- Heart and grit from a real vet
Big congrats to Dalby. No flashy highlights here, but seeing guys keep getting the job done past 40 gives old-school fans something to root for.
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Alonzo Menifield: Knockout Power Is Real
Build-Up
A fight that had a lot of casual fans hyped was Volkan Oezdemir taking on Alonzo Menifield. I know Alonzo from training—we’ve hit the mats a few times. He’s a great dude and a grinder.
What Happened?
Sad to say, Alonzo got caught backing up to the cage. Volkan’s power is no joke—it always has been. He landed a flurry, probably six punches in a row. The last couple put Menifield down, and that was all she wrote.
- Oezdemir: threw a multi-punch combo, showcased that classic KO power
- Menifield: fought hard, but just got caught in a bad spot
Takeaway
Oezdemir remains a serious threat for anyone standing across from him. I hope Menifield bounces back soon—he’s a real one, and it’s tough watching good guys take those L’s.
Jack Hermansson vs. a Killer from Kyrgyzstan
The Risk: Cutting Down to 170
Jack Hermansson was moving down a weight class—from 185 to 170. That’s always a tricky move for a fighter, especially one who’s not used to cutting that much weight.
His opponent (I’ll be real, I forgot how to pronounce his name) came in with a 15-2 record and some serious skills.
How Did It Go?
Hermansson looked big at 170—no doubt. But he was kind of stationary, which is rough against a fast striker. He got caught along the cage and clipped right behind the ear. Dropped and finished.
Props to the dude from Kyrgyzstan for closing the show. Another rising star to watch at welterweight.
Co-Main Event: Ian Garry vs. Belal Muhammad
Tale of the Tape
These guys both had similar reach, just about the same arm length, but Ian Garry had a bit more height and used it perfectly:
- Stayed in a low boxing stance
- Relied on fast hands, nonstop punches
- Didn’t throw too many kicks, which kept him safe from takedowns
The Fight
Ian Garry’s smart approach paid off. He just picked Belal Muhammad apart with disciplined boxing. Kept his base low and didn’t let Belal grab ahold of those legs.
“...just kind of picked Bilal Muhammad apart, and Bilal didn’t look good. This was one of the worst performances I saw.”
It wasn’t the prettiest fight—very technical, but not fireworks. Still, Garry showcased his fight IQ, and Belal just couldn’t get going.
What’s Next for Garry?
Now that Garry just beat the #2 ranked guy, a number one contender fight could be in his future—maybe against Jack Della Maddalena. I think stylistically, that matchup works for both of them. They’re both strikers, so expect fireworks if it happens.
Belal Muhammad: Where Does He Go Next?
It’s tough. Belal was ranked #2 but just didn’t show up last night. I hope he can bounce back; everyone has off nights. But as for Garry, he has a real shot at climbing to the top.
Main Event: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker
What’s the Big Story Here?
The main event—the fight everyone was waiting for—Tsarukyan vs. Hooker. If there’s one recurring theme throughout this card, it’s that wrestlers from Georgia, Armenia, Russia, and nearby regions are dominating with their world-class grappling.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
Round 1
- Dan Hooker came out firing with a bunch of kicks, smartly switching stances.
- That stance switching was designed to help him avoid Tsarukyan’s grappling and takedowns.
- Eventually, though, Tsarukyan timed it, got the takedown, and started looking for a ground advantage.
Round 2
- Tsarukyan immediately went for another takedown and got it.
- Showed patience, worked from guard and eventually passed.
- Found himself in mount and started hunting for submissions.
The Finish: Head and Arm Triangle
Tsarukyan locked up a head-and-arm triangle from mount. That’s a tough submission to finish from the mount, but here’s the secret sauce: insane grip strength.
“The common theme with a lot of these grapplers... their grip strength is crazy strong.”
When Tsarukyan cinched it up, Hooker just couldn’t get out. When you’re dealing with wrestlers from this region, you’re not just fighting tech—you’re up against abnormal grip strength.
Why That Matters
You see it with Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev, and so many others. These guys’ grip is otherworldly, and it’s what separates top-tier wrestlers from everyone else.
Technical Takeaways: The Magic of Grip Strength
Young grapplers, listen up. If you want to dominate, work on your grip strength. It’s the key to holding opponents down, finishing submissions, and controlling the action.
Best Exercises for Grip Strength
- Pull-Ups: The king of grip exercises
- Farmer’s walks
- Towel hangs
- Deadlifts
Grip strength isn’t always the first thing beginners think about, but it’s absolutely crucial if you want to compete at the highest level. When top wrestlers grab you—they don’t let go.
“Grip strength is the key to being a good grappler from an offensive standpoint... Work on your grip strength guys. Your grip strength is everything.”
Where Does Tsarukyan Go From Here?
Last night’s performance was dominant in terms of grappling, but will that be enough against the very best? My take is that Tsarukyan might struggle with someone like Ilia Topuria.
- Topuria: likely to defend the takedowns, fight stays standing
- Tsarukyan: grappling world class, but standup might not match Topuria
Styles make fights, and this is one where I think the striking advantage swings hard toward Topuria.
The Bigger Picture: What We Learned Last Night
Let’s recap the main themes from UFC Fight Night:
1. Veterans Can Still Hang
Horiguchi and Dalby proved that age and time away don’t mean you’re done. If you stay sharp and keep training, comebacks and late-career wins are possible.
2. Power and Grit Still Matter
Volkan Oezdemir’s knockout showed that raw power can change a fight in seconds. He reminded us why “No Time” is always a threat.
3. Grappling Domination Continues
The wrestlers from Russia, Georgia, and Armenia keep raising the bar for what’s possible in MMA. Their grip, technique, and sheer toughness are setting new standards.
4. Smart Strategies Win Fights
Ian Garry proved that you don’t need to be flashy—just smart. Avoiding kicks and takedowns, sticking to hands, and keeping a low base are keys to winning in modern MMA.
5. The Future is Bright for New Contenders
Garry and the Kyrgyzstan fighter are fresh faces ready to climb the ranks and make a splash. Expect more fun scraps and wild moments ahead.
Standout Takeaways and Fan Questions
Here are a few questions to think about after last night’s action:
- Can Horiguchi reclaim his spot as a top contender after years away?
- Who’s next in line for Dalby after his split decision win?
- Will Menifield rebound and learn from getting caught along the cage?
- Does Garry have enough tools to challenge for the title?
- Is Tsarukyan’s grip strength and wrestling enough to dethrone the division’s best?
- How much does technique matter vs. sheer athletic power in MMA today?
For New Martial Artists
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Final Thoughts
That’s my honest breakdown of everything that went down at UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs Hooker. Whether you’re here for the gritty grappling, big knockouts, or smart game plans, last night’s fights had a little bit for every fan.
Remember, always keep your grip strong and your mind sharper.
Let me know what you guys think in the comments. Who do you have next for Garry? Can Tsarukyan take down the champ? And who had your favorite moment from the card?
“Grip strength is the key to being a good grappler from an offensive standpoint... Work on your grip strength guys. Your grip strength is everything.”
Thanks for reading! If you’re new to martial arts and want to find the right gym in your area, check out my book as mentioned above. Let’s keep training and keep enjoying the best sport on earth—mixed martial arts!