UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan (also known as UFC on ESPN 52) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on December 2, 2023, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, United States.[2]
Background
This event was originally targeted to take place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[3] However the event was instead moved to the Moody Center in Austin, Texas for unspecified reasons. This also marked the promotion's fifth visit to Austin and first since UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett in June 2022.[2]
A five round lightweight bout between Bobby Green and Dan Hooker was expected take place in the co-main event, which would have marked the sixth time a non-main event and non-title bout has been scheduled for five rounds.[4] However, the week before the event, Hooker withdrew due to a broken arm and was replaced by Jalin Turner in a three round bout.[5][6][7]
