UFC on ESPN+ 123 live results: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker
The Octagon heads to a brand new location as the UFC debuts in Qatar at the ABHA Arena in Doha for UFC On ESPN+ 123.
The main event is an exciting five-round bout in the lightweight division as top contender Arman Tsarukyan takes on Dan Hooker. Both are coming off long layoffs, as Tsarukyan hasn’t fought since April 2024 and Hooker has been out since August 2024. Tsarukyan comes into the fight riding a four-fight win streak, while Hooker has scored three consecutive wins.
The co-main event is a pivotal bout in the welterweight division that could decide the next title challenger as former UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad takes on Ian Machado Garry. Muhammed fights for the first time since dropping the title in May, while Machado Garry looks to notch his second straight win.
Also on the main card is a light heavyweight bout pitting Volkan Oezdemir against Alonzo Menifield; a heavyweight bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Shamil Gaziev; and a flyweight bout that sees Tagir Ulanbekov welcoming former flyweight title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi back to the UFC.
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> Heavyweights- Marek Bujlo (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Denzel Freeman (6-1, 0-0 UFC)
Bujlo lands a leg kick to start. They trade leg kicks before trading punches. Freeman connects with a left hand. Freeman throws a high kick that hits the arms of Bujlo. They trade kicks as Freeman lands a body kick. They both connect in a quick pocket exchange. Freeman with a left hand. Bujlo lands a leg kick. He lands a right hand. Freeman with a high kick. Freeman lands a spin kick and Bujlo lands a leg kick. 10-9 Freeman.
They trade more kicks to start the second. Bujlo lands a right hand and Freeman counters with a leg kick. Bujlo lands a leg kick and Freeman lands one in return, then Bujlo lands another. They trade more kicks. Freeman lands a high kick. Freeman lands a combination. Bujlo with a leg kick. Bujlo lands a right hand and they trade short leg kicks. 10-9 Freeman, 20-18 Freeman.
Bujlo lands and Freeman trips to the mat and Bujlo gets inside of his guard. They end up back on the feet and Freeman lands a left hand. They trade leg kicks and Bujlo misses a right hand. They trade more kicks. There isn’t much happening here. Freeman lands a left hand. Freeman lands a left hand. Bujlo lands a right hand. Bujlo with a body kick and Freeman lands a switch kick. This fight was awful. 10-9 Freeman, 30-27 Freeman.
Fight Result- Denzel Freeman def. Marek Bujlo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Lightweights- Nurullo Aliev (10-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Shem Rock (12-1-1, 0-0 UFC)
Rock lands some leg kicks and Aliev grabs the leg looking for a takedown, but lets go. Aliev with a leg kick. Aliev hurts Rock with a right hand and they trade while clinched up. Rock lands a left hand. Aliev lands a combo. Aliev lands a left hand and Rock with a knee. Aliev with another short combo and hurts Rock with a right hand. Aliev lands a flush left hand. Aliev landing some big shots as they tie up. Rock shoots for a takedown but Aliev sprawls away. They trade in close range. Aliev lands a big combo. Rock lands a body kick. 10-9 Aliev.
Aliev lands a right hand. Rock lands a pair of switch kicks. Aliev lands a combo with a body kick. Rock lands a pair of leg kicks. Aliev looks for a takedown against the fence. They break apart and Aliev lands a combination. Aliev lands a right hand before connecting with a flurry. Rock with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Aliev rocks Rock with a punch. Rock looks for a takedown but Aliev scores a takedown of his own. They get to their feet as Aliev has body control, and he lands as they break. Rock with a head kick that Aliev blocks. They trade and timeout is called for an eye poke. They get back going and Rock lands a kick. 10-9 Aliev, 20-18 Aliev.
They trade and Aliev grabs Rock and pushes him against the fence. They battle in the clinch and timeout is called for a groin strike. They get back to action. Rock shoots for a takedown but Aliev defends and lands a left hand. Rock is able to score a takedown and has body control as they scramble. Rock gets Aliev down and gets into full mount. Aliev is able to push off the fence with his feet and they stand. They trade and Rock shoots for a takedown, but Aliev defends and grabs the neck, though they get up and break apart. They trade inside the pocket. Aliev gets the back and drags Rock down and keeps back control as they stand. Rock lands a head kick. Rock with a leg kick. 10-9 Rock, 29-28 Aliev.
Fight Result- Nurullo Aliev def. Shem Rock by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Middleweights- Ismail Naurdiev (24-8, 3-3 UFC) vs. Ryan Loder (7-2, 1-1 UFC)
They trade body kicks. Both land a punch. Naurdiev with a high kick. Naurdiev lands a massive right hand and Loder goes down out cold! What a finish from Naurdiev!
Fight Result- Ismail Naurdiev def. Ryan Loder by knockout (punch) at 1:26 of Round 1
> Bantamweights- Bekzat Almakhan (17-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Aleksandre Topuria (6-1, 1-0 UFC)
Topuria works the jab. Almakhan lands a combo. Topuria lands a leg kick as Almakhan connects with a combination. Almakhan lands a left hook. Almakhan lands a big leg kick that trips Topuria down to the mat. Almakhan lands a combo ending with a heavy knee. Topuria lands a right hand. They trade in close quarters and Topuria grabs the head and scores a hip toss takedown. Topuria inside the guard of Almakhan and lands. Topuria transitions to the mount position. They scramble to the feet and separate. Topuria with a jab. Topuria lands a big right hand. Topuria is pressuring and lands late. 10-9 Topuria.
They trade jabs. Topuria ducks under and scores a takedown. Topuria controls but they scramble up. Almakhan lands a right hand. Almakhan with a short uppercut. Topuria lands a right hand. Almakhan lands a leg kick. Topuria with a jab. Almakhan lands to the body. Topuria shoots for a takedown but Almakhan defends it. Topuria lands two big right hands. Almakhan is busted up. Almakhan lands a combo. Almakhan with a right hand. 10-9 Topuria, 20-18 Topuria.
Topuria pressuring and lands before looking for a takedown against the fence. Almakhan defends. Topuria lands a big right hand that hurts Almakhan. Topuria is pressuring Almakhan around. Topuria throws and Almakhan ducks under and gets a brief takedown as they get right back to their feet. Topuria working the jab as Almakhan is circling around. Topuria shoots for a takedown and presses Almakhan against the fence. They separate. Almakhan lands a right hand and a quick flurry. 10-9 Topuria, 30-27 Topuria.
Fight Result- Aleksandre Topuria def. Bezkat Almakhan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Light Heavyweights- Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (7-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Rafael Cerqueira (11-3, 0-3 UFC)
Yakhyaev drops Cerqueira with a head kick right away and starts landing from the top. They get up but Yakhyaev gets a big takeodwn and locks in a rear-naked choke and Cerqueira taps! What a debut from Yakhyaev!
Fight Result- Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Rafael Cerqueira by submission (rear-naked choke) at :33 of Round 1
> Flyweights- #7 Alex Perez (25-9, 7-5 UFC) vs. #8 Asu Almabayev (22-3, 5-1 UFC)
Perez lands a leg kick. Almabayev with a calf kick. They trade as Perez rushes forward. Almabayev lands a high kick. Perez lands a calf kick. He lands another and then another leg kick. Almabayev shoots for a single leg but Perez defends and lands some elbows. Almabayev briefly got it down but they tie up against the fence. Perez with some hammerfists to the thigh and they break apart. They trade kicks. They trade as Perez lands a combo and Almabayev lands a knee. Perez lands a combo and a leg kick. They trade and Perez keeps pressuring with leg kicks. Almabayev scores a takedown and Perez is landing elbows. 10-9 Perez.
Perez rushes in with a flurry and Almabayev lands a knee. They trade leg kicks. Almabayev lands a leg kick and Perez scores a takedown and lands from the top, and lands a big right hand before they stand. Perez scores another takedown and lands from the top before they get back up. They trade as Almabayev lands a flush uppercut. Almabayev lands a right hand. Almabayev lands a spin kick to the body. Perez scores a takedown. Perez is working and landing from the top, though Almabayev is staying active on the bottom and throwing elbows. Perez grabs the neck as they stand and lands some knees before they separate. Almabayev shoots for a takedown but Perez defends and Almabayev pushes it against the fence. Perez lands an elbow on the break. Almabayev lands an uppercut and scores a late takedown. 10-9 Perez, 20-18 Perez.
Almabayev lands a spin kick and Perez looks for a takedown. Almabayev jumps on the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and Perez taps! Almabayev gets a submission when he might have needed a finish in order to win.
Fight Result- Asu Almabayev def. Alex Perez by submission (guillotine choke) at :22 of Round 3
> Welterweights- Nicolas Dalby (23-6-1 2 NC, 7-6-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (22-2, 0-0 UFC)
Dalby grabs the body lock right away and pushes it against the fence. Izagakhmaev lands some knees. They both start landing knees now. Dalby keeping the pressure on against the fence. Izagakhmaev lands some more knees to the body. They are separated. Dalby lands a couple of leg kicks. Izagakhmaev with a leg kick. Izagakhmaev looks for a takedown but Dalby defends and Dalby pushes it against the fence. Izagakhmaev with a couple more knees. Izagakhmaev scores a takedown. Izagakhmaev with a knee to the body before they stand. Close round. 10-9 Izagakhmaev.
Dalby lands a head kick and Izagakhmaev scores a takedown. Izagakhmaev gets the back as they start to scramble up. They are clinched up against the fence with Dalby pressuring but Izagakhmaev lands some knees. Dalby keeps pressuring but he’s not landing and Izagakhmaev is landing more while defending. Dalby lands as they break. Dalby looks for a takedown but Izagakhmaev reverses and takes the back. Dalby is able to reverse into the guard and lands a couple of elbows. Another close round. 10-9 Izagakhmaev, 20-18 Izagakhmaev.
Dalby pushes it against the fence in a clinch and they reverse position a couple of times. Dalby lands a couple of elbows on a brief separation, but they tie right back up. Dalby with an uppercut as they get to the center and break. Izagakhmaev with a jab and Dalby lands a right hand and a high kick. They clinch back up as Dalby pushes it against the fence. Dalby keeps pressuring and Izagakhmaev looks for a takedown as Dalby is defending. Dalby continues to pressure and lands some dirty shots before they break. Dalby lands a jab. Dalby with a body kick. Weird fight. 10-9 Dalby, 29-28 Izagakhmaev.
Fight Result- Nicolas Dalby def. Saygid Izagakhmaev by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
> Featherweights- Bogdan Grad (15-3, 1-1 UFC) vs. Luke Riley (11-0, 0-0 UFC)
Grad shoots for a takedown after a feeling out process and is able to complete it. He gets inside the guard of Riley. Grad lands a little but Riley is able to scramble up. Grad keeps the back and drags it back down. They stand and Grad keeps pressure against the fence as they both land. They separate and Grad lands on the break. Grad shoots for a takedown but Riley defends. Grad gets it down late and lands heavy shots to end the round. 10-9 Grad.
They come out swinging and Riley drops Grad with a big left hand. Riley gets on top and starts landing and a big right hand puts Grad out! Riley gets the big finish in his debut!
Fight Result- Luke Riley def. Bogdan Grad by knockout (punches) at :30 of Round 2
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> Flyweights- #11 Tagir Ulanbekov (17-2, 6-1 UFC) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5 1 NC, 7-1 UFC)
Horiguchi with a pair of leg kicks. They trade some punches as both are still looking to establish their range. Horiguchi lands a leg kick. Ulanbekov with a high kick. Ulanbekov pushes it against the fence. Ulanbekov scores a takedown from the back. They end up back on the feet and separating. Horiguchi lands a right hand. Horiguchi with a side kick. Horiguchi lands a leg kick and a right hand. 10-9 Horiguchi.
Horiguchi lands a jab and then a right hand against the fence. Horiguchi lands a leg kick and Ulanbekov goes to his knees. Horiguchi jumps on top and lands from inside the guard of Ulanbekov. Horiguchi with some short elbows. Ulanbekov looks for a guillotine choke from the bottom. Horiguchi is able to escape and stays on top and lands several punches. Ulanbekov tries to scramble, but Horiguchi gets his back and lands. Horiguchi keeps back control and lands some left hands. They stand and Horiguchi lands a pair of elbows before they separate to the center. Horiguchi lands a heavy leg kick that hurts Ulanbekov. Horiguchi then lands a big body kick and a right hand. Ulanbekov tries for a takedown but Horiguchi defends. Horiguchi with a right hand and he gets on top as they go to the mat. Horiguchi lands from the top to end the round. 10-9 Horiguchi, 20-18 Horiguchi.
Horiguchi gets an early takedown and lands lots from the top before they stand. Horiguchi then lands a massive head kick followed by a right hand and they go to the mat. Horiguchi lands and then locks in a rear-naked choke and Ulanbekov taps! What a big return win for Horiguchi!
Fight Result- Kyoji Horiguchi def. Tagir Ulanbekov by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:18 of Round 3
> Heavyweights- #6 Waldo Cortes-Acosta (15-2, 8-2 UFC) vs. #11 Shamil Gaziev (14-1, 3-1 UFC)
Gaziev lands a quick flurry of right hands. Gaziev lands. Cortes-Acosta with a jab. Gaziev with a left hook but Cortes-Acosta drops him with a counter right hand and lands, but Gaziev stands. Cortes-Acosta lands the jab. Cortes-Acosta drops Gaziev with a massive right hand and one follow-up shot ends it! Wow, Cortes-Acosta gets the win on just a few days’ notice.
Fight Result- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Shamil Gaziev by knockout (punch) at 1:22 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Jack Hermansson (24-9, 11-7 UFC) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (14-2-1, 3-1 UFC)
Orolbai with a right hand and a leg kick. Hermansson throws a combination ending with a calf kick. Hermansson lands a left hand as Orolbai throws a right hand. Orolbai pressing forward and throwing but not really connecting. Orolbai looks for a takedown but lets it go. Orolbai lands a leg kick that Hermansson checks. They clinch and Hermansson lands a knee to the body before they separate. Orolbai lands a right hand. Orolbai lands to the body and then lands a vicious right hand that puts Hermansson out cold! What a brutal knockout by Orolbai!
Fight Result- Myktybek Orolbai def. Jack Hermansson by knockout (punch) at 2:46 of Round 1
> Light Heavyweights- #9 Volkan Oezdemir (20-8, 8-7 UFC) vs. #14 Alonzo Menifield (17-5-1, 10-5-1 UFC)
Oezdemir lands a check hook. Oezdemir lands a flurry against the fence. Oezdemir with a left hand. Oezdemir lands a step-in knee followed by a leg kick. Oezdemir with a left hand then a knee and he’s landing big shots against the fence and drops Menifield with a massive left hand and it is all over! What a finish from Oezdemir!
Fight Result- Volkan Oezdemir def. Alonzo Menifield by knockout (punches) at 1:27 of Round 1
> Welterweights- #2 Belal Muhammad (24-4 1 NC, 15-4 1 NC UFC) vs. #6 Ian Machado Garry (16-1, 9-1 UFC)
They trade and both land leg kicks as Garry pokes Muhammad in the eye. Timeout is called. Muhammad already has a big cut open under his other eye. Muhammad is able to continue. Garry with a front kick to the lead leg of Muhammad. Muhammad lands a right hand. Garry working the jab as Muhammad lands another right hand. Muhammad lands a right hand. Garry lands a leg kick. Muhammad with a left hook. Garry trips Muhammad up with a hard calf kick. Garry with a jab. Muhammad shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They end up separating and Muhammad scores with a right hand. Garry with another hard calf kick. Garry with another leg kick as Muhammad lands a left hand. Muhammad looks for a takedown but Garry defends. They trade late. Close round. 10-9 Machado Garry.
Garry lands a quick combo after Muhammad lands a leg kick. Muhammad lands a right hand. Muhammad with a body kick. Garry works the jab. Garry lands a solid right hand. They clinch up for a moment but separate after no action. Muhammad lands a right hand. Muhammad pushes Garry against the fence, but not much happens again before they separate. Muhammad looks for a takedown but Garry defends. Garry has the back but lets go. Garry pokes Muhammad again in the eye and timeout is called. They get back going and Garry lands a body kick. Muhammad looks for a takedown against the fence but Garry is defending. Garry lands an elbow on the break. 10-9 Machado Garry, 20-18 Machado Garry.
Muhammad lands a right hand as Garry is working the jab. Muhammad lands a solid right hand. Garry working the calf kicks. They tie up against the fence but quickly separate. Garry hurts Muhammad with a right hand. Garry lands a spinning back fist and two front kicks. Muhammad gets a clinch but they break apart quickly. Muhammad shoots big for a takedown but Garry defends and lands a leg kick. Garry lands a right hand. Garry with more low kicks. Muhammad gets the clinch against the fence. They break apart and Garry lands the jab. Garry with two right hands. Muhammad looks for a takedown against the fence but Garry defends. They have a wild exchange late. 10-9 Machado Garry, 30-27 Machado Garry.
Fight Result- Ian Machado Garry def. Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Lightweights- #1 Arman Tsarukyan (22-3, 9-2 UFC) vs. #6 Dan Hooker (24-12, 14-8 UFC)
Hooker lands a leg kick. They trade kicks. Hooker with some body kicks. Tsarukyan looks for a takedown and almost trips Hooker down to the ground but they remain tied up against the fence. They separate and Tsarukyan lands a knee. Tsarukyan with a big combination. Tsarukyan lands some big shots and they clinch. Both land knees to the body. Hooker looks for a guillotine as they go to the mat, but Tsarukyan rolls through and gets into side control. Tsarukyan looks for the crucifix position as he lands a couple of elbows. Tsarukyan with some shots from the top. Tsarukyan lands a hammerfist. 10-9 Tsarukyan.
They trade kicks. Hooker with a body kick. They trade as Hooker lands a body kick. Tsarukyan scores a takedown and is inside the guard of Hooker. Tsarukyan landing lots of shots from the top and looks for a finish. Tsarukyan gets into the mount and is smothering Hooker. Tsarukyan looking for an arm-triangle choke. It is in tight and Hooker taps! Big finish from Tsarukyan!
Fight Result- Arman Tsarukyan def. Dan Hooker by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:34 of Round 2
MMA writer & live coverage specialist, contributor to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter