Arman Tsarukyan nearly jeopardized his UFC Fight Night main event with Dan Hooker in Doha, Qatar. During Friday's ceremonial weigh-ins, Tsarukyan struck Hooker with a head butt before UFC personnel intervened.

Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) dominated Jack Della Maddalena (18-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) to claim the welterweight belt this past Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who was lined up to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 before withdrawing, had high praise for his former foe.