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Predicting What’s Next for Tsarukyan, Garry and Other UFC Qatar Main Card Winners
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- Predicting What’s Next for Tsarukyan, Garry and Other UFC Qatar Main Card Winners
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
UFC Qatar on Saturday delivered a bunch of fight-ending highlights on the show's main card. Kyoji Horiguchi scored a dominant victory over a top-15 fighter in his UFC return after nine years away. Ian Machado Garry bolstered his case for a title opportunity in 2026 by defeating former champion Belal Muhammad . And Arman Tsarukyan once again proved why he is the true No. 1 contender to the lightweight belt.
Following their victories in Doha, we predict what's next for the main card winners at UFC Qatar.
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Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Asu Almabayev
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Horiguchi put together an impressive resume during his nine years away from the UFC, including winning titles in both Rizin FF and Bellator. At 35, he made his return to the company at UFC Qatar and looked outstanding during a dominant victory over Tagir Ulanbekov.
With flyweight wide open, he might be a win away from a title opportunity. However, with many of the top contenders scheduled for upcoming fights, a matchup with Asu Almabayev next is likely. The Kazakh star also won on Saturday and is a top 10 fighter . The winner would have a strong case for a title fight next year.
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Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Jailton Almeida
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Waldo Cortes-Acosta took a huge risk by facing another top 10 fighter on just a few days' notice at UFC Qatar. It didn't matter, and he stormed through Shamil Gaziev to score another knockout win. The victory quieted any doubters about how serious a contender the Dominican star is.
With him aiming for a title fight in 2026, a matchup with Jailton Almeida feels right. The Brazilian is coming off a tough loss in October, but he remains an elite talent at heavyweight. If "Salsa Boy" can beat a top fighter and grappler, he could be in line for a championship fight after.
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Myktybek Orolbai vs. Uros Medic
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Myktybek Orolbai gave Jack Hermansson a very rude awakening to welterweight at UFC Qatar and may have forced the former 185-pound star into retirement. The knockout victory was his second straight finish and moved him to 4-1 inside the Octagon. For his return, a scrap with Daniel Rodriguez could be fun.
Both have built some strong momentum in recent outings, and a matchup between the talented finishers could be a standout on an upcoming Fight Night main card.
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Dominick Reyes
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Volkan Oezdemir scored another nasty knockout win on Saturday over Alonzo Menifield, and kept him inside the top 10 at light heavyweight . Oezdemir is unlikely to go on a run that earns him a title opportunity. But he can still be put in interesting top 15 matchups that could lead to fireworks.
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That is why a rematch with fellow division veteran Dominick Reyes could be interesting. Reyes beat him by split decision six years ago. Running it back now would make sense for both at this point in their careers.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Kamaru Usman
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Garry had one of the toughest tests of his career at UFC Qatar when he faced Muhammad. "The Future" still has doubters about whether he can deal with an elite grappler. Well, on Saturday, he passed the test with flying colors as he was never taken down by the American.
However, the fight was still close, and Garry's victory wasn't the type that earns him a title fight next. That is why he will need to get one more win before he fights for gold. A W against division icon Kamaru Usman in his next fight would certainly do that.
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Arman Tsarukyan vs. Ilia Topuria
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Arman Tsarukyan screwed himself over by pulling out days before his January title fight against Islam Makhachev . It is why he was forced to prove he is the true No. 1 contender in a risky fight against Dan Hooker. He went into UFC Qatar and made easy work of "Hangman."
If Tsarukyan is not fighting Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title early in 2026, there is something wrong with the UFC. He was the most worthy challenger earlier this year, and remains the No. 1 contender heading into the new year.
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