Dana White recently confirmed that Arman Tsarukyan headbutting Dan Hooker during the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins factored into the promotion’s decision not to give him another undisputed lightweight title shot.
UFC’s recent wave of matchmaking has been critiqued by many. Among other bouts, the promotion also received backlash when they announced an interim lightweight title between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, which will headline UFC 324.
Fans thought Tsarukyan vs. Hooker to be a title eliminator bout. The Armenian fighter won the fight by submission in the second round and called out champion Ilia Topuria.