Eire’s Ian Machado Garry will face former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad within the co-main occasion at UFC Qatar on 22 November.

The 27-year-old beat Carlos Prates in his final UFC outing in April, after struggling a primary defeat within the organisation to Shavkat Rakhmonov in December 2024.

American Muhammad misplaced his belt to Jack Della Maddalena in Could and can be vying with Machado Garry to get again within the title body.

The winner can be in a powerful place to face the victor of Australian Della Maddalena’s first title defence towards Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 in November.

Russia’s Makhachev vacated his light-weight title to step up in weight to face the Australian.

Armenia’s Arman Tsarukyan and New Zealand’s Dan Hooker will face one another within the card’s essential occasion in Qatar in a light-weight conflict.

This would be the first time Tsarukyan can be again within the octagon after pulling out of a title bout towards Makhachev in January, with Hooker returning to motion after being prevented from competing since August 2024 due to persistent hand accidents.

The match-up additionally hints at what could possibly be subsequent for Liverpool light-weight Paddy Pimblett.

Pimblett, 30, seems to be on the verge of a title shot. He and American Justin Gaethje are the frontrunners to struggle newly topped champion Ilia Topuria subsequent.

The UFC may additionally decide to match Topuria with Max Holloway, with the pair combating at featherweight and the latter coming off a win over Dustin Poirier in July.