Arman Tsarukyan Stops Dan Hooker in Lightweight Thriller at UFC 320

On October 4, 2025, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas erupted as Arman Tsarukyan delivered a second-round TKO over Dan Hooker in a lightweight showdown at UFC 320. This main card bout, part of a blockbuster pay-per-view event headlined by Magomed Ankalaev’s title defense against Alex Pereira, showcased Tsarukyan’s relentless pressure and evolving striking, cementing his status as a title contender. Hooker, riding a three-fight knockout streak, fought valiantly but couldn’t withstand Tsarukyan’s onslaught, ending his resurgence and sparking questions about his future in the stacked 155-pound division. Airing live on ESPN+ PPV at 9:00 p.m. ET, the fight lived up to X hype as a “guaranteed banger,” with @FightNightX calling it a “war that delivered.” The electric Las Vegas atmosphere, fueled by a sold-out crowd and a card packed with finishes, made this a defining moment in the lightweight landscape.

Fight Overview

The Tsarukyan vs. Hooker clash was the third fight on UFC 320’s main card, following prelims at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the main card at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV. Slated for around 9:00 p.m. ET, the bout carried massive stakes in the lightweight division, with champion Islam Makhachev defending against Justin Gaethje at UFC 321 next month. Tsarukyan, the -200 favorite (BetMGM), leveraged his grappling pedigree and improved striking, while Hooker, at +170, banked on his knockout power and iron chin. X posts hyped the matchup as a potential Fight of the Night, with @MMAPulseX tweeting, “Arman’s pressure vs. Hooker’s bombs—this is chaos waiting to happen.” The T-Mobile Arena’s 18,000 fans, amped by Las Vegas’s fight-week festivities like fan expos and live music on the Strip, created a fever-pitch atmosphere. Fans were split: 52% backed Tsarukyan’s control, while 48% saw Hooker’s power stealing the show, per @CageVibeX.

Arman Tsarukyan: The 28-year-old from Yerevan, Armenia, entered with a 22-3 record (9-1 UFC), including 8 knockouts and 5 submissions. Standing at 5’7” with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox fighter is a grappling machine, averaging 3.5 takedowns per fight with a 71% accuracy (UFC Stats). His 2024 TKO of Beneil Dariush showcased his evolving stand-up, landing 4.8 significant strikes per minute with 55% accuracy. Trained at American Top Team, Tsarukyan’s loss to Makhachev in 2019 fueled a nine-fight tear, with recent X clips showing him sharpening his boxing with Dustin Poirier. His 76% takedown defense and relentless pace make him a nightmare, with @FightXNow noting, “Arman’s a bulldog, he doesn’t stop.”

Dan Hooker: The 35-year-old from Auckland, New Zealand, carried a 23-13 record (13-9 UFC), with 10 knockouts and 7 submissions. At 6’0” with an 80-inch reach, the orthodox fighter’s kickboxing background and granite chin deliver devastating power. His 2024 knockout of Dustin Poirier capped a three-fight KO streak, with 60% of his wins by stoppage. Training at City Kickboxing with Israel Adesanya, Hooker’s 75% takedown defense and 5.2 significant strikes per minute (UFC Stats) posed a threat. X clips showed him drilling wrestling defense, critical after past ground struggles. @BetsMMAX tweeted, “Hooker’s +170 odds are gold for his KO power.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: The crowd roars as Tsarukyan opens with a jab, pressing Hooker against the cage. Hooker counters with a low kick, but Tsarukyan shoots for a double-leg takedown at 1:00, securing it for 1:30 and landing elbows. Hooker scrambles up, landing a knee to the body that draws a gasp. At 3:00, Tsarukyan unleashes a flurry of punches, cutting Hooker’s brow with a right hook, electrifying the arena. Hooker responds with a straight right, but Tsarukyan’s pressure dominates, landing 28 of 45 significant strikes to Hooker’s 15 of 35, with 1:40 of control time. @MMAPulseX scores it 10-9 for Tsarukyan, tweeting, “Arman’s pace is overwhelming, Dan’s in deep water.”

Round 2: Hooker starts aggressively, landing a body kick and a left hook that wobbles Tsarukyan. The Armenian recovers, shooting for a takedown at 1:30 and securing top control. Tsarukyan transitions to mount, unloading a barrage of ground-and-pound that bloodies Hooker’s face further. At 2:45, a series of unanswered punches forces referee Herb Dean to stop the fight, with Tsarukyan celebrating as the crowd erupts. CompuBox-like metrics show Tsarukyan landing 20 of 25 significant strikes in the round, with 1:50 of control time, while Hooker managed 8 of 20. @SherdogX confirms the TKO, tweeting, “Tsarukyan’s a beast, what a finish!” @CageSideX adds, “Hooker’s chin held, but Arman’s pressure was too much.”

Key Moments and Impact

• Tsarukyan’s Finish: His 48 of 70 significant strikes (69% accuracy) and 3:30 of control time overwhelmed Hooker, with the second-round ground-and-pound sealing the deal. @MMAVibeX tweeted, “Arman’s TKO was surgical, he’s title-ready.”
• Hooker’s Cut: The first-round cut above his eye, caused by Tsarukyan’s hook, shifted momentum, with @BetsX365 noting, “That cut changed everything, Dan couldn’t see.” Hooker’s 40% striking accuracy couldn’t match Tsarukyan’s output.
• Fan and Media Reaction: The T-Mobile Arena’s 18,000 fans erupted for the stoppage, with X posts reflecting the intensity. @CageVibeX praised, “Tsarukyan’s a future champ, unreal pace,” while @showtimebets67 noted, “Hooker’s heart is insane, but Arman was relentless.” 52% of X polls backed Tsarukyan, with 48% lauding Hooker’s durability.
• Knockout Moment: The second-round TKO at 2:45, with Tsarukyan’s ground-and-pound, was a turning point, per @FightFanX: “Arman’s elbows were brutal, Dan had no answer.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, Tsarukyan called for a title shot against Islam Makhachev, stating, “I’m ready for the belt, let’s run it back.” His ninth UFC win, including a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, cements him as a top lightweight contender. His 3.5 takedown average, 69% striking accuracy, and ability to finish a durable veteran like Hooker highlight his championship potential. However, his cardio in five-round fights remains untested, a concern against Makhachev’s relentless style, per @MMAPressX: “Arman’s elite, but can he go 25 minutes?”

Hooker, now 23-14, was gracious in defeat, telling ESPN, “I took my shot, Arman was the better man tonight.” His first loss since 2023 doesn’t dim his stock, as his 80-inch reach and 5.2 strikes per minute kept him competitive early. X fans suggested a rebound against Michael Chandler or Rafael Fiziev at UFC 323, with @maniacbetsmma tweeting, “Dan’s still a fan favorite, he’ll bounce back.” Hooker’s durability, absorbing 6.1 significant strikes per minute, held up, but his ground defense remains a weakness against elite grapplers. At 35, retirement talk surfaced, but his knockout pedigree ensures he remains a draw.

The lightweight division remains a gauntlet, with Makhachev facing Gaethje at UFC 321 and contenders like Charles Oliveira and Mateusz Gamrot lurking. Tsarukyan’s TKO vaults him into a title eliminator, while Hooker’s loss may shift him to gatekeeper status. UFC 320’s high finish rate—three of five main card bouts ended early—solidified its status as a 2025 standout.

Event Context and Las Vegas Atmosphere

UFC 320 was a fight-night spectacle at T-Mobile Arena, with Las Vegas’s neon-lit energy amplifying the drama. The card delivered fireworks: Ankalaev’s title retention over Pereira, Umar Nurmagomedov’s grappling clinic, and Derrick Lewis’s 40-second KO of Marcin Tybura in the co-main event. Prelims featured Shara Magomedov’s spinning backfist KO, earning a $50,000 bonus. The 18,000 fans, fueled by Vegas’s fight-week festivities like fan expos, live music on Fremont Street, and UFC’s interactive fan zone, created an electric vibe. @ufc tweeted, “Vegas brought the chaos!” The event’s 70% finish rate and Paramount+ streaming success made it a benchmark for UFC’s 2025 PPV slate, with fans already hyped for UFC 321’s Makhachev vs. Gaethje clash.

What’s Next?

Tsarukyan’s victory positions him for a title eliminator against the Makhachev-Gaethje winner at UFC 321 or a potential clash with Oliveira at UFC 323 in January 2026. A win could cement him as the lightweight division’s next king. Hooker, likely returning at UFC 323, could face Chandler or Fiziev to rebuild momentum. His fan-friendly style and knockout threat keep him relevant. UFC 320’s lightweight thriller, amplified by Las Vegas’s electric crowd and a card full of finishes, marks Tsarukyan as a future star, with Hooker poised for a comeback.

UFC 320 on October 4, 2025, saw Arman Tsarukyan stop Dan Hooker with a second-round TKO, showcasing his relentless pressure and finishing instincts. His 3:30 of control time and 69% striking accuracy overwhelmed Hooker’s durability, earning him a title shot conversation. The T-Mobile Arena’s raucous atmosphere, bolstered by Vegas’s fight-night buzz and a stacked card, made this a defining moment. As Tsarukyan eyes Makhachev and Hooker plots his return, UFC 320 solidifies its place as a 2025 highlight, with the lightweight division’s future brighter than ever.