UFC’s first event in Qatar is confirmed for November 22 at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah ABHA Arena in Doha, with major fights officially announced following heightened security concerns in the region.
Enhanced security measures and diplomatic assurances have cleared the path for the promotion to proceed with its landmark debut after Israeli airstrikes in early September raised initial doubts about hosting large international events.
Main, co-main events and bouts officially confirmed
UFC President Dana White announced the complete headline lineup on October 1, 2025, ending weeks of uncertainty. Lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will face Dan Hooker in the main event, while former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad meets rising star Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event.
Tsarukyan was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title before withdrawing due to a back injury. He has won four straight fights, including victories over Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush. Hooker returns after more than a year away, riding a three-fight winning streak.
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Muhammad aims to recover from his welterweight championship loss to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May, ending an 11-fight unbeaten streak. Machado Garry rebounded from his first professional defeat against Shavkat Rakhmonov by defeating Carlos Prates in April.
Complete fight card announced
- Main Event, Lightweight: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker
- Co-Main Event, Welterweight: Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry
- Light Heavyweight: Jan Błachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Flyweight: Asu Almabayev vs. Alex Perez
- Heavyweight: Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev
- Light Heavyweight: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Rafael Cerqueira
- Bantamweight: Bekzat Almakhan vs. Aleksandre Topuria
- Bantamweight: Felipe Lima vs. Daniel Marcos
- Heavyweight: Marek Bujło vs. Denzel Freeman
- Middleweight: Ismail Naurdiev vs. Ryan Loder
- Welterweight: Jack Hermansson vs. Myktybek Orolbai
- Middleweight: Paulo Costa vs. TBD
Former light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz, ranked fifth in the division, will face number 11 Bogdan Guskov. Paulo Costa’s bout remains incomplete after original opponent Sharabutdin Magomedov withdrew for nose surgery, with no replacement confirmed.
Security situation stabilized for event
The September 9 Israeli strike on Doha targeted Hamas leaders during ceasefire negotiations, killing five Hamas members and one Qatari security officer. The attack caused diplomatic tension and raised questions about hosting large international events in Qatar.
Regional security arrangements and assurances from international partners have provided sufficient confidence for UFC organizers to move forward with the event. Qatar has maintained its commitment to hosting the fight card while working with security agencies to ensure athlete and spectator safety at the venue.
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This event marks the UFC’s debut in Qatar, making it the 32nd country to host a UFC event and the third in the Middle East after the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The partnership with Visit Qatar facilitated the expansion as part of the promotion’s strategy to reach new international markets.
Ticket sales and final fight card details are expected in the coming weeks as the organization prepares for the November 22 event.
