UFC Combat Night time 232 winner Chase Hooper needs Claudio Puelles subsequent in battle of leg lock specialists

LAS VEGAS – Chase Hooper thinks his grappler vs. grappler matchup with Jordan Leavitt at UFC Fight Night 232 delivered, and he needs extra of these forms of fights going ahead.

Hooper (13-3-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC) shortly dispatched of Leavitt (11-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) in Saturday’s light-weight bout on the UFC Apex, locking up a rear-naked choke within the opening spherical to advance him to 2-0 since transferring up from featherweight earlier this 12 months.

The grappling exchanges between the pair have been quick and livid from the outset, however Hooper was one step forward and managed to catch Leavitt in a mistake and get the end.

“I used to be anticipating lots longer of a battle, loads of harder of a battle,” Hooper advised MMA Junkie and different reporters on the post-fight information convention. “However I snaked it up early, and that’s a win, clearly. … I at all times shock myself once I come out with a end, or a win normally. I at all times go in type of extra pessimistic after which wish to shock myself by having a superb final result. (I) can’t actually get a greater final result than that.”

Though pitting two grapplers in opposition to one another can typically result in stalling, or an underwhelming standup battle, Hooper stated he’s not afraid to have interaction with anybody on the mat. He needs to see if he can discover extra success with these matchups, and that’s why he sees Claudio Puelles (12-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) as a becoming subsequent opponent, as a result of each males must train warning with their limbs.

“I’d like somebody like a Claudio Puelles,” Hooper stated. “He beat Jordan, I imagine, by determination. Then he additionally has a kneebar win over Clay Guida. I simply beat Jordan tonight, and I’ve received a calf slicer over Clay in a grappling match. However nonetheless, I’d like to battle one other man that’s huge into leg locks – one other huge jiu-jitsu man within the division. Tonight is the proper instance. These are enjoyable matchups, and I believe they’re enjoyable to look at. It’s a method of grappling individuals can get down with.”

Even when he doesn’t get Puelles subsequent, Hooper stated it’s his aim for 2024 to compete as incessantly as doable. His spouse is pregnant with their first baby with the due date looming, and Hooper stated the duty of supporting one other life has boosted his motivation to herald extra paychecks.

“I’ve received to begin making a bit extra of that dad cash,” Hooper stated. “I’d wish to be a bit bit extra lively, particularly right here at ’55 the place I don’t have to chop as laborious. I’d wish to get three fights in.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 232.