It Is All Or Nothing For Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan has always been one of the brightest talents in the UFC lightweight division.

From the moment he made his debut against Islam Makhachev in 2019 and pushed the future champion harder than almost anyone had before, fans and analysts knew this kid was different.

His combination of wrestling, speed, cardio, and constant pressure made him a threat to every top lightweight on the roster.

But today, Arman is standing at a crossroads. His upcoming fight against Dan Hooker isn’t just another booking.

It is a moment that could change everything for the better or for the worse.

The UFC has made it very clear, directly and indirectly, that their patience with Arman has thinned after the chaos surrounding his last scheduled main event.

Now, Tsarukyan’s future inside the title picture depends entirely on what he does next.

This is the story of why Arman Tsarukyan is entering the toughest, most decisive fight of his UFC career, and why the stakes have never been higher.

Why the UFC Grew Frustrated With Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan’s issues didn’t come from his skills inside the cage. They came from one decision outside of it, a last-minute withdrawal that shook an entire UFC event.

Arman was scheduled to fight former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a high-stakes rematch.

It was a fight fans had been waiting for years to see again. Their first battle was razor-close, and many believed Arman could be the toughest stylistic challenge for Makhachev.

UFC built the card around this rematch. Promotion work, media, marketing, everything was tied to that headline bout.

But just one night before the main event, Tsarukyan pulled out.

From a business standpoint, the UFC took a major hit. Main events crashing at the last minute damage ticket sales, kill pay-per-view expectations, anger broadcasters, and force the promotion into panic mode.

Even if a fighter has a genuine reason, the UFC doesn’t like risks that disrupt major cards, especially when a championship-level fight is involved.

Dana White wasn’t thrilled. It wasn’t personal, but it was business and Tsarukyan suddenly found himself out of the title discussion.

Fighters who pull out last minute often need months, sometimes years, to regain the promotion’s trust.

This is where Arman Tsarukyan is now: incredibly talented, undeniably deserving, but on thin ice from a business perspective.

Why the UFC Booked Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker

With Arman temporarily removed from the title race, the UFC had two choices:

1. Punish him by giving him less meaningful fights
2. Test him by putting him against a dangerous, respected name who would force him to prove himself all over again

They chose the second option.

Dan Hooker is no walk in the park. He’s a veteran, a fan favorite, a fighter who has never backed away from tough matchups.

He has fought Dustin Poirier, Islam Makhachev, Michael Chandler, Paul Felder, and many more. He brings toughness, experience, and striking power.

Booking Tsarukyan vs. Hooker isn’t just matchmaking — it’s the UFC saying:

“If you win this cleanly, you’re back in the conversation. If you lose, we have our answer.”

This is the UFC’s style: simple, direct, unforgiving. They give you a path, and it’s up to you to walk it.

Why This Fight Is Truly “All or Nothing” for Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan is fighting for more than a win. He’s fighting for:

• His reputation
• His relationship with the UFC
• His standing in the lightweight division
• His title shot
• His long-term opportunities

Let’s break down why the stakes are so extreme.

A Win Puts Him Back Into Title Contention

The UFC lightweight division is in a strange place right now. Islam Makhachev moved up and became champion at welterweight.

The lightweight belt situation is wide open. Ilia Topuria, who is now one of the biggest stars in the UFC, has shown interest in moving up to lightweight soon.

Promoters love fresh matchups, young champions, and big stories.

If Tsarukyan wins impressively, the UFC could very well set up:

Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan for the lightweight title

This matchup sells itself youth, talent, speed, star power, a new era. Tsarukyan knows this. He knows that if he wins, he might skip the line and go straight to a title shot.

A Loss Could Permanently Ruin His Title Aspirations

The UFC doesn’t forget main event cancellations easily. And they don’t reward fighters coming off losses with big opportunities.

If Tsarukyan loses to Hooker:

• He falls out of the top contender category
• The UFC will shift attention to other rising fighters
• He may be given tougher paths and lower-stakes fights
• His shot at the title might vanish for years, or forever

The lightweight division is too stacked to afford a misstep. Dariush, Gamrot, Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, and many new prospects are always hungry for top-five spots.

One loss can send a fighter from “future champion” to “good fighter but not a real contender” very quickly.

Dan Hooker is exactly the type of opponent who can change the story of a fighter’s career.

Public Perception Matters

Fans remember last-minute cancellations. They also remember who steps up and who pulls out.

Arman has a chance to rewrite his narrative. A dominant win would make people forget the controversy instantly.

A loss, however, would strengthen criticism that he isn’t ready for the biggest stage.

Arman Tsarukyan’s Strengths Going Into This Fight

If you look at pure talent, Tsarukyan deserves his hype. These are the tools that make him one of the most dangerous lightweights in the world.

Elite Wrestling and Scrambling

Very few fighters can scramble with Tsarukyan. He transitions fast, shoots takedowns without slowing down, and controls top position extremely well.

High Pace and Cardio

He doesn’t get tired. His pressure breaks opponents mentally.

Much Improved Striking

In his recent fights, his boxing has sharpened. His shot setups flow better, and his counters have become far more accurate.

Fight IQ

Tsarukyan doesn’t rush. He calculates, adjusts, and picks the safest path to win — a quality that becomes crucial in high-pressure fights.

Dan Hooker: The Perfect Test

Dan Hooker brings exactly what the UFC wants Tsarukyan to prove he can handle:

• Durability
• Elite experience
• Heavy hands
• Knees and elbows inside the pocket
• A strong clinch game
• A never-give-up mentality

Hooker thrives in chaos. He drags fighters into brawls, tests their heart, and forces them to make mistakes.

For Tsarukyan, this fight isn’t just about avoiding danger. It’s about showing he can dominate someone who has fought the best lightweights in the world.

What Happens If Tsarukyan Wins

If Tsarukyan wins impressively, here’s what likely comes next:

• UFC sees him as reliable again
• He becomes a top contender
• A big fight is guaranteed
• A title fight becomes possible in the next 12 months

And again, the most exciting idea being discussed internally is:

Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan for the lightweight title

It’s a fresh matchup with huge potential to attract global attention.

What Happens If Tsarukyan Loses

If he loses:

• He drops out of the title conversation
• UFC will not risk booking him in another main event soon
• Rising contenders will move ahead of him
• His momentum could take years to rebuild

In the UFC, timing is everything. A single loss at the wrong moment can cost a fighter several years of their prime.

Why This Moment Defines His Entire Career

Fighters often talk about crossroads fights. For Tsarukyan, this is exactly that moment.

He has:

• Youth
• Talent
• Skills
• Marketability
• A potential rivalry with Topuria
• A history with Makhachev that fans still want to see revisited

But all of it depends on one night.

This fight is not simply a step forward. It is the difference between stepping into greatness or slipping into the background.

This is why it truly is “All or Nothing” for Arman Tsarukyan.

Final Thoughts

Arman Tsarukyan is one of the most promising fighters in the UFC. His skill set is championship-level.

His potential is enormous. But the UFC’s trust is fragile after the last-minute withdrawal that disrupted a major event.

Now, with the Dan Hooker fight locked in, Tsarukyan has been given one final chance to prove he belongs at the top of the lightweight division.

• Win — and he might find himself fighting for gold.
• Lose — and he may spend years climbing out of the hole.

This is the moment that will shape his entire UFC future.

For Arman Tsarukyan, it is all or nothing.