I am looking on this fight from different angle. Suppose Arman is the person who could have beaten Islam if he hasnt pulled off just before the fight, suppose Arman is a guy who is able to beat Topuria and became a champ. On a paper we have a potentially next champ who is risking his place in top against a "an easiest opponent he could get". On the scales are belt and chance to get injury/chance to get KOed and forget about fight against champion (Topuria) for next half a year (doctors wont let you fight for 6 months if you are KOed). Possibly he could waste his peak on nothing, when he should spend it on defending belt 
He had his chance and blew it.
If his that good, he'll work his way back to the title shot, if he can't - he doesn't deserve it. Simple as.
What's the point of entertaining fantasies about what would happen if he didn't pull out and defeated Islam back then? He's not entitled to anything. We all knew he would have to fight down before getting another shot. So Hooker is really an early Christmas gift from the UFC to Arman, and it's a good option on every level (difficulty, money, hype).
(...)
No odds available yet tho. But I'm thinking it could be priced at a decently sized favorite for Oliveira. Maybe around 1.50 - 1.55? Dunno...
No odds available yet tho. But I'm thinking it could be priced at a decently sized favorite for Oliveira. Maybe around 1.50 - 1.55? Dunno...
That would sound fair, but bookies strongly prefer younger fighters, so who knows.