Chase Hooper recently achieved a remarkable victory over an opponent who had been competing in the UFC since he was only seven years old.
On Saturday night at UFC 310, ‘The Dream’ faced off against Clay Guida, a seasoned MMA veteran with 63 fights under his belt. Guida, known as ‘The Carpenter,’ made his UFC debut back in October 2006 and continues to compete at the age of 42, despite struggling with a three-fight losing streak.
The significant age difference was evident during the match at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
In contrast to Guida’s vast experience, Chase Hooper showcased his youthful energy and skill set, making the most of the historic opportunity.
Despite being 17 years younger than his opponent at UFC 310, Guida entered the Octagon with the enthusiasm reminiscent of a fighter making their debut.
Joe Rogan quickly began to commend Hooper for his striking abilities, but it was evident that the 25-year-old was keen to capitalize on his grappling strengths as well.
Ultimately, Hooper secured a slick submission victory in the first round, marking a significant milestone in UFC history by defeating a man 6,488 days older than himself. However, it’s worth noting that the widest age gap in UFC history remains the match between 27-year-old Royce Gracie and 51-year-old Ron Van Clief at UFC 4 in December 1994.
The commentators at UFC 310 praised Hooper for his impressive striking and grappling performance, underscoring his growth as a fighter.
After the fight, Hooper took the opportunity to reflect on his journey of five years in Dana White’s league, showcasing his maturity and experience.
Interestingly, Guida did not receive a post-fight interview this time. Typically, an experienced fighter like him would be granted a moment to consider retirement, but he had previously intrigued UFC management by playfully suggesting his retirement after a loss to Rafa Garcia last year.
Chase Hooper’s journey to the UFC hasn’t always been smooth sailing.
As a young and talented fighter, he has faced three defeats during his 19-fight MMA career.
However, addressing the flaws in his game has led Hooper to appear more like a potential contender lately, and this was evident in his demeanor during the post-fight interview.
Reflecting on his evolution, Hooper mentioned, “In December 2019, I was in this very same Octagon, an awkward 20-year-old kid trying to talk to you about personalized M&Ms. Here we are five years later, 10 fights in the UFC. It feels like everything is coming full circle.”
Hooper expressed gratitude for the culmination of his hard work, stating, “It’s really great to have all this stuff coming together and I feel like I belong. 10 fights. I’m here.”
Overall, his impressive win at UFC 310 suggests that Chase Hooper is on the rise and increasingly finding his place in the UFC.
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