UFC Qatar Shake-Up: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker Fight Card Hit With Last-Minute Changes

Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan (Photo by Imagn Images)

The UFC Qatar: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker card just got shaken up at the last second. Sergei Spivak had to pull out of his fight with Shamil Gaziev only a few days before the event on November 22. They haven’t said why yet. The UFC scrambled to find someone else, and Gaziev tried to shoot his shot by calling out Jon Jones to take the fight.

Gaziev challenged Jones on social media, asking him to come back and fill the spot. It is an interesting move considering Jones has been retired since June and has been teasing a comeback for the White House card against Alex Pereira.  

Meanwhile, Gaziev, calling him out, said, “Opponent pulled out, but UFC is working on new opponent @JonnyBones it’s time to come back, Johnny.” The callout didn’t work. Instead, the UFC reportedly booked Waldo Cortes-Acosta as the replacement. 

Opponent pulled out , but UFC is working on new opponent @JonnyBones it’s time to come back Johnny

— Shamil Gaziev (@GazievMMA) November 20, 2025

The number six-ranked heavyweight is set to face Gaziev. And get this, Cortes-Acosta just knocked out Ante Delija at UFC Fight Night 263 barely three weeks ago. That’s a super quick turnaround.

Shamil Gaziev Gets Waldo Cortes-Acosta As Replacement For UFC Qatar

Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Image Credits: Imagn Images)

Cortes-Acosta’s been super active this year. He has already had four fights in 2025 and won three of them. His overall UFC record sits at 8-2 right now. The fact that he’s jumping into another fight so soon shows he’s hungry to move up the rankings. Win this one, and you can bet the UFC will throw a big name at him next.

🚨| Serghei Spivac is OUT. Waldo Cortes-Acosta steps in to take on Shamil Gaziev at #UFCQatar on November 22nd.
[first rep. @CCLegaspi] pic.twitter.com/xNXe23Akso

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) November 20, 2025

Gaziev is 35 years old and 3-1 in the UFC. He kicked off this year with a solid first-round finish against Thomas Peterson, which helped him climb a bit. This fight’s a big deal for him, though. Taking down someone ranked five spots higher could significantly shake up his career.

UFC Qatar Shake-Up: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker Fight Card Hit With Last-Minute Changes
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