Career Averages - Chase Hooper
Career Averages - Peter Barrett
Chase Hooper - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 13 of 34 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Lance Gibson | 1 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 13 of 34 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Lance Gibson | 1 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 11 of 32 | 34% | 3 of 18 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Lance Gibson | 13 of 22 | 59% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 14 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 11 of 32 | 34% | 3 of 18 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Lance Gibson | 13 of 22 | 59% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 14 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Chase Hooper but is not confident, noting that Hooper relies on experience and BJJ, and that he hasn't beaten anyone under 40 in years. He thinks Lance Gibson could win if he wrestles and stays safe. Angelo criticizes the odds, saying Hooper should not be a 3-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady picks Chase Hooper to win by second-round submission. He acknowledges Hooper's striking deficiencies and recent knockout losses, but believes Hooper's ground game is elite. He notes Hooper has improved his wrestling, taking down Jim Miller eight times and Clay Guida three times. He thinks once Hooper gets the fight to the ground, he will dominate with ground and pound and submissions.
Cody believes Hooper's grappling and improving striking will be too much for Gibson, who he views as a Bellator-level fighter. He expects Hooper to win via submission or decision.
Connor picks Hooper as well, agreeing that Hooper's grappling is dynamite and he is a violent grappler. He thinks Gibson's mentality is not suited for fighting and that Hooper will take advantage.
Daniel believes Hooper's experience and grappling will be too much for Gibson, who he views as not UFC caliber. He expects Hooper to submit Gibson, noting Gibson lacks knockout power to threaten Hooper.
The host believes Hooper is very likely to win due to his improved wrestling and ground game, but the odds (-318) are too steep to bet. Gibson is a volume striker without knockout power, so Hooper should eventually get a takedown and finish. However, there is not enough known about Gibson to bet the underdog, making this an easy pass.
The host likes Hooper's submission game but is wary of the minus 240 line, as he thinks Hooper may struggle to get the fight to the ground against Gibson's athleticism. He suggests Hooper needs to be reckless with striking to create openings for grappling. He predicts Hooper will eventually find a submission but acknowledges the risk.
Paul agrees, noting Hooper's length and grappling advantage. He's not impressed by Gibson's UFC debut and expects Hooper to handle him.
The MMA Guru picks Chase Hooper, citing his recent grappling improvements and wins over Jim Miller and Jordan Leavitt. He believes Hooper's grappling will be too much for Lance Gibson Jr., who he considers a name merchant. He expects Hooper to survive early danger and eventually submit or outgrapple Gibson for a decision.
Zane picks Hooper because Hooper knows how to be aggressive and go after submissions, while Gibson seems to avoid fighting. He notes that Gibson's wins are against cans and he shuts down when faced with skill parity.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 20 of 82 | 24% | 20 of 82 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Alexander Hernandez | 1 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 20 of 82 | 24% | 20 of 82 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Alexander Hernandez | 1 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 20 of 82 | 24% | 7 of 62 | 7 of 12 | 6 of 8 | 20 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Alexander Hernandez | 17 of 38 | 44% | 14 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 20 of 82 | 24% | 7 of 62 | 7 of 12 | 6 of 8 | 20 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Alexander Hernandez | 17 of 38 | 44% | 14 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hooper (-345), Hernandez (+275)
Round 1
Getting away from the prelims to the four-bout chunk on the ESPN network, we start with a lightweight clash that pits a young-up-and-comer against someone who used to hold that status before aging out of it. Hooper (16-3-1, 8-3 UFC) is full of things and vinegar at the age of 25 on a five-fight win streak—one shy of a career long. His opponent Hernandez (16-8, 8-7 UFC) has won lately to edge himself above the .500 UFC record line, although a defeat tonight would even him out again. The two men have referee Jason Herzog to thank for how the officiating will play out in the next 15 minutes or fewer, and they opt to bump fists.
Hooper starts off with long front kicks from either limb to the body. The kicks set up one up high, and he chains a spinning back fist into it. Hernandez steps in to kick the body, and Hooper nearly reaches him on the way out with his far longer limbs. Hernandez tries to close the distance again, and Hooper uses his front kick to frustrate his foe. Hernandez manages to get in to score a pair of punches, only to have to back off and wait for Hooper to throw a naked kick to counter with an overhand left. Hernandez sticks out a straight right hand, and Hooper whizzes past him with a combination.
Hernandez sits down on two counterpunches when Hooper kicks at the ribs, and he hurls a big left hand as Hooper shoots in for a single-leg entry. Hernandez breaks out of it and circles away, blocking a chasing strike or two including a spinning back fist. Hooper plants two punches on the jaw, and Hernandez reaches him at the end of a left. Hooper’s front kick is mixed in, and he shoots in low for a takedown and lands on his own face. Hernandez scoots away and lets Hooper back up, and he measures the longer fighter with looping punches out of range. Hernandez connects on a few punches and evades a long right hand, while parrying two subsequent strikes. “The Great Ape” hits with a left, and Hooper partially rolls with it and replies with doubled left hooks.
Hernandez keeps moving from side to side, and he lances a fierce right hand down the middle to separate Hooper from his senses. Hooper collapses to his knees and tries for a desperate takedown to save himself, and Hernandez pounds on him from both sides of the head with seconds to go in the round. As Hooper takes damage, Herzog waves the fight off
, as he does not feel that Hooper should have a few more seconds to ride out the round and recover. Hooper is crestfallen but nods in understanding when informed exactly what happened, while the victorious Hernandez raises his arms and parades around the cage to celebrate.
The Official Result
Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper R1 4:58 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo notes Hooper has filled out physically, improved his takedowns, and is undefeated at 155. He thinks Hernandez is inconsistent and undersized, and that Hooper's height and BJJ advantage could be key. However, he acknowledges Hernandez's takedown defense and toughness, making this a close fight. He slightly leans Hooper but is not confident.
Big Brady picks Chase Hooper to win by second-round TKO. He notes Hernandez struggles with high pace and has been broken in many fights. Hooper is massive, pushes a pace, and will drain Hernandez's gas tank. He thinks Hooper will chain takedowns and submission attempts, finishing Hernandez in the second or third round. He acknowledges Hernandez could hurt Hooper early, but if Hooper gets rolling, it's a bad matchup for Hernandez.
The host notes Hooper's recent improvements and chaotic striking approach. He expects Hooper to wear down Hernandez and eventually find a submission, likely in the second or third round.
The Guru leans towards Alexander Hernandez, though he expresses some hesitation. He believes Hernandez's explosiveness and body shots will be effective against Chase Hooper. The Guru notes that Hooper's grappling is improved but he lacks damaging ground and pound and often wins by submission threat rather than actual submissions. He worries about Hernandez's close fight with Austin Hubbard but thinks Hernandez will have more moments in the scrambles and on the feet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 0 | 13 of 35 | 37% | 22 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 59 of 94 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 1 | 0 | 10:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 14 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 24 of 41 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:57 | |
| 2 | Jim Miller | 0 | 1 of 12 | 8% | 2 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 10 of 19 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 0 | 0 | 4:04 | |
| 3 | Jim Miller | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 25 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 4:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 13 of 35 | 37% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Chase Hooper | 21 of 44 | 47% | 13 of 34 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 10 of 16 | 62% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 |
| Chase Hooper | 10 of 21 | 47% | 4 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jim Miller | 1 of 12 | 8% | 0 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Hooper | 5 of 11 | 45% | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jim Miller | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Hooper | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hooper (-800), Miller (+550)
Round 1
While it is understandable, it is still unfortunate that announcer Bruce Buffer declined to shout out Miller’s (38-18, 1 NC; 27-17, 1 NC UFC) preferred nickname that was certainly not “A-10.” We get what we get, so “Expletive Deleted” will have to hold serve for now. The grizzled veteran, one whose name is all over the leaderboards including the most fights (soon to be 46) and the most victories (27 for now), will throw down with a man 16 years his junior. In a contest of old man strength vs. youthful exuberance, Hooper (15-3-1, 7-3 UFC) will represent the latter and will close as an astronomical betting favorite north of -800. Things like 41 and -800 are just numbers to Miller, who will meet Hooper in the center of the cage while referee Kerry Hatley watches on. They do not touch gloves. When Miller plods forward, Hooper backs away and uses his kicks to keep his preferred distance. Hooper suddenly attacks with a swarm of punches, and Miller sits in the pocket and fires back at him. Hooper gets the better of an exchange, and he slides back and clips Miller with a solid right hand. Miller is unfazed and cracks his foe with a left hook, and Hooper punches and shoots low for a single. Miller drops to a knee to defend it, and he wraps up a guillotine choke that forces Hooper to stand. Hooper drops to the floor to roll out of it, and Miller lowers himself down and blasts the youngster in the face with a standing-to-ground left hand. Hooper hunts for a triangle choke, and Miller punches his way out of it and reassumes top position in the guard. “A-10” stacks Hooper up to prevent Hooper from going after anything, and Miller latches on with a guillotine and jumps guard to secure it. Hooper calmly works his neck out of harm’s way, and he finds himself in top. Miller turns over and gives up his back, and Hooper is quick to start hunting for a standing rear-naked choke. Miller leans against the cage to take some of the weight off, and he tries to scrape “The Dream” off of him using the chain links. Hooper has the body triangle wrapped around the waist to remain on Miller’s back, and he hacks at Miller with an elbow. Hooper attempts a neck crank, and Miller bucks and twists to get Hooper off of his back. Hooper hits his back and instantly attacks an armbar, and Miller punches his way out of that and a subsequent triangle setup. Miller nails his man with a big left hand, and he pushes out of a quick triangle that materializes out of nowhere. Miller stands up, and Hooper follows him and pushes out a front kick. One more front kick from Hooper results in him getting caught with an overhand right, and the horn sounds to end the dramatic round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hooper
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hooper
Round 2
Miller starts out the round ready to get in the pocket and exchange, and he scores a solid left hand to back Hooper off. When Hooper presses him, Miller tags him with another left. The youngster chains a front kick into a spinning back fist, and Miller defends against them and allows Hooper to take him down so he can grip hold of a two-on-one wrist lock. Hooper elbows him in the side while Miller clings to the limb, using it to work back to his feet. Hooper takes his back standing and wrenches him to the ground, where he flirts with a rear-naked choke to further control his foe. Miller works his way back to his feet and leans himself on the wire, and Hooper softens him up and is pulled off of Miller’s back, but he sells out for a takedown and lands in side control. After Hooper gets off some strikes, Miller fights to his feet, and he considers a guillotine when Hooper pursues a mat return. Miller lets it go and stands up, and Hooper kicks off the fencing and tosses Miller to his back. Hooper controls Miller from the side and then back, and the two scramble and roll to find themselves in an awkward situation. Hoop looks to lace Miller’s legs and spread them apart for a banana split, and he tugs on Miller’s foot to further hold on tight. Miller survives this and makes it to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hooper
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hooper
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hooper
Round 3
Hooper wants to take the fight down to begin the final round, with Miller wearing it after 10 minutes of combat. The control of Hooper starts to take over, as he latches on the elder statesman’s back and wrangles him to the floor. Hooper again pursues a leglock from a strange angle, and Miller’s knee is trapped in a precarious predicament. They remain stuck in a 50-50 of sorts, with a possible twister or other unorthodox submission coming together. Miller on his back, has his legs caught between Hooper’s, and his torso is about to turn the wrong direction until Hooper decides to abandon it and take top position. Hooper clings to the top position like Saran wrap, nullifying Miller and causing the audience to start booing. Hooper resides in half guard, smothering and hanging tight until posturing up with a few elbows to the side. Hooper sits up with seconds to go, and the fight that started with a roar ends with a whimper.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hooper (29-28 Hooper)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hooper (30-27 Hooper)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hooper (30-27 Hooper)
The Official Result
Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Daniel Levi notes that Chase Hooper handled a legend, securing eight takedowns and doing what he was supposed to do. He suggests moving Hooper up and even proposes a fight against Michael Chandler. He respects Jim Miller as a legend but acknowledges the loss.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 14 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 14 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Chase Hooper, arguing that Clay Guida is 42 years old and past his prime, while Hooper's grappling and evolving striking will be too much. He mentions Hooper already submitted Guida in their first fight with a calf slicer. Angelo dismisses the idea that Hooper can't win a kickboxing match, stating Guida is too old and worn down. He is confident Hooper will win again.
Cody picks Hooper, citing his youth, jiu-jitsu, and improvement. He notes Guida's age and submission losses. He expects Hooper to win inside the distance, likely by submission.
Connor is very confident in Hooper, stating that Guida can no longer wrestle or strike effectively. He notes that Hooper is much larger with long arms, and that if Guida tries to wrestle, Hooper will submit him. Connor points out that Guida's style has been ineffective for years and that Hooper's modern technique will be too much.
Daniel believes Hooper has matured and can beat Guida anywhere. He references their previous grappling match where Hooper submitted Guida. He expects Hooper to finish Guida, possibly by submission.
Hooper should absolutely smash Clay Guida, who is notorious for coming up short against submission specialists early, just as Charles Oliveira and Jim Miller were able to do. I expect Hooper to submit Guida within the first five minutes.
Paul picks Hooper, emphasizing his grappling and physical advantages. He notes Guida's age and lack of offense. He expects Hooper to submit Guida, but suggests inside the distance is safer.
The MMA Guru picks Chase Hooper, noting Guida's age (42) and tendency to make grappling mistakes that lead to submissions. He thinks Hooper's reach, youth, and improved striking will allow him to dominate. He sees Hooper latching up a guillotine or getting dominant position. He does not see Guida having the power to knock Hooper out.
Zane agrees, confidently picking Hooper. He notes that Guida is ancient and cannot wrestle or strike anymore, while Hooper is a young, skilled grappler with a size advantage. Zane believes Hooper will either outstrike Guida or submit him if Guida tries to wrestle.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 1 | 62 of 109 | 56% | 129 of 217 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 6:03 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 1 | 32 of 62 | 51% | 76 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 30 of 47 | 63% | 53 of 94 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:53 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 62 of 109 | 56% | 58 of 104 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 58 of 86 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 32 of 62 | 51% | 28 of 57 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 44 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Chase Hooper | 30 of 47 | 63% | 30 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 42 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Viacheslav Borshchev because of his striking advantage and Chase Hooper's poor takedown offense (22% accuracy). He notes Borshchev has a professional kickboxing background and can defend takedowns well enough. He acknowledges Hooper's dangerous BJJ but believes Borshchev can keep the fight standing and land punishment.
Big Brady picks Slava Borshchev to win by first-round knockout, but admits it's a tough call and he could look stupid. He notes that on the feet, Borshchev has a huge advantage, as Hooper has been knocked down repeatedly by strikers like Steve Garcia. However, if Hooper gets the fight to the ground, he will dominate. Borshchev has poor takedown defense (36%), but Hooper's wrestling may not be as good as previous opponents. He hopes Borshchev stuffs takedowns and makes it look easy.
Cody picks Hooper as a confident underdog, noting that Borshchev has terrible takedown defense (35% in UFC) and has been taken down 24 times in 6 fights. Hooper, despite his own takedown accuracy issues, should be able to take Borshchev down and dominate on the ground with his elite BJJ. Cody believes Hooper's cardio and tenacity will allow him to survive early striking exchanges and find takedowns later. He already bet Hooper at plus 140.
Daniel Vreeland picks Chase Hooper, noting that Borshchev has poor takedown defense, especially when tired. He believes Hooper can weather the early storm and drag Borshchev to the ground for a ground-and-pound TKO or submission. He mentions that Hooper has moved up to 155 and is growing into his body.
The host leans Borshchev due to his improved takedown defense and striking advantage. He expects Borshchev to land big shots as Hooper recklessly closes distance, and hopes his submission defense holds up on the mat. He acknowledges Hooper's grappling danger but thinks Borshchev can survive and find a knockout. The pick is a lean, as he understands the underdog appeal.
Paul picks Hooper, echoing Cody's reasoning. He emphasizes that Borshchev's takedown defense is abysmal and that Hooper, despite his own flaws, has the grappling to exploit it. Paul notes that Hooper has shown heart and improvement at 155, and his BJJ is elite. He expects Hooper to get the fight to the ground and submit or control Borshchev. Paul calls it a 'dog pick' and is confident Hooper can win.
The MMA Guru picks Viacheslav Borshchev over Chase Hooper, despite acknowledging Hooper's improvement. He believes the striking gap is too large and that Borshchev's leg kicks and body shots will be effective. He notes that Hooper lacks the strength to power through takedowns against Borshchev, who has good takedown defense. He predicts a body shot TKO finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:59 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 3 of 4 | 75% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 3 of 4 | 75% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hooper (-230), Leavitt (+190)
Round 1
Styles make fights, and these two lightweights appear to have the same one. These two grapplers may treat fans with fun exchanges, or they could nullify the other and result in a kickboxing match. Hooper (12-3-1, 4-3 UFC) and Leavitt (11-2, 4-2 UFC) are ready to go wherever is needed over the next three rounds, as is referee Mike Beltran. Two of the more convivial fighters on the roster share a light-hearted clap of hands, and then prepare to hurt each other. Hooper rushes out hoping to strike, and Leavitt hunts for a takedown. Hooper turns him over and fights off a single attempt from Leavitt, and the two spin one another around in the clinch. A scramble leads to the two hitting the mat, and Leavitt considers a guillotine and then a triangle choke into an omoplata. Leavitt uses these attempts to sweep his opponent, and he maintains a can opener only to fall into an armbar setup. Hooper turns over and leans to his back to try to lock the submission down, and Leavitt turns and stands up to stack Hooper up and break up the submission. Hooper chains a leglock into an armbar, and Leavitt smashes him in the face with big right hand that stuns Hooper. “The Dream” attempts a leglock, and Leavitt drops down to do the same, and the 50/50 position persists until Hooper drills Leavitt in the face.
Hooper turns over, and Leavitt sits up and is a bit too slow to spin around. Hooper takes his back during the scramble, and he fastens the body triangle around the waist and locks down a rear-naked choke. The forearm slides beneath the chin, and Hooper starts celebrating the submission before he even gets a tap. Leavitt ultimately does surrender instead of going out
, and Hooper lets go and stands to release a guttural celebratory shriek.
The Official Result
Chase Hooper def. Jordan Leavitt R1 2:58 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jordan Leavitt, expecting him to be more physical and have slightly better wrestling. He notes both are similar grapplers with poor striking, but thinks Leavitt's power in his hands and ability to get takedowns will be the difference. He may bet if Leavitt becomes a bigger dog.
Big Brady likes Hooper, noting he's putting it together with incredible pace and cardio, as seen in his wins over Felipe Colares and Nick Fiore. He thinks Leavitt has solid wrestling and striking but slows down, as in the Claudio Puelles fight. He predicts Hooper will push a pace Leavitt can't keep up with and finish him late in the third round by TKO.
Cody picks Chase Hooper, noting his high volume striking and improved grappling. He mentions Hooper's durability and ability to win by submission or decision. Cody sees Leavitt as one-dimensional with low output and believes Hooper's size and skill advantage will prevail.
Hooper has improved his pressure fighting and can get the fight to the ground where he has a slick submission game. Leavitt has a weird submission game but questionable cardio and striking. Hooper can land better damage and control on top, winning by decision. However, both fighters are flaky, so confidence is low.
Paul is high on Chase Hooper, citing his youth, size advantage at lightweight, and improved wrestling. He notes Hooper's legitimate jiu-jitsu and cardio, and believes Leavitt is one-dimensional with no standout skills. Paul expects Hooper to drown Leavitt with pressure and volume.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Leavitt over Chase Hooper, believing Leavitt is further along in his MMA career. He notes Leavitt's improved striking since 2021 and his competitive grappling with Claudio Puelles, which he thinks Leavitt won. He believes Leavitt's grappling is good enough to stop Hooper and that Hooper's win over Nick Fiore is not impressive.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 149 of 245 | 60% | 217 of 340 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 1 | 1 | 3:54 |
| Nick Fiore | 0 | 51 of 90 | 56% | 58 of 98 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 60 of 101 | 59% | 68 of 112 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Nick Fiore | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 | |
| 2 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 56 of 90 | 62% | 74 of 112 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Nick Fiore | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 16 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 | |
| 3 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 33 of 54 | 61% | 75 of 116 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:05 |
| Nick Fiore | 0 | 19 of 27 | 70% | 22 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 149 of 245 | 60% | 110 of 203 | 31 of 34 | 8 of 8 | 97 of 160 | 42 of 73 | 10 of 12 |
| Nick Fiore | 51 of 90 | 56% | 49 of 88 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 34 of 66 | 11 of 17 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 60 of 101 | 59% | 44 of 84 | 11 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 35 of 61 | 22 of 36 | 3 of 4 |
| Nick Fiore | 17 of 32 | 53% | 17 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 25 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Chase Hooper | 56 of 90 | 62% | 43 of 76 | 12 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 36 of 57 | 17 of 29 | 3 of 4 |
| Nick Fiore | 15 of 31 | 48% | 14 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Chase Hooper | 33 of 54 | 61% | 23 of 43 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 26 of 42 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 4 |
| Nick Fiore | 19 of 27 | 70% | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 4 |
Angelo picks Nick Fiore because Chase Hooper's striking is abysmal and he lacks wrestling to get the fight to the ground. He notes that Hooper is a 'full-on Jiu Jitsu nerd' with no hands, while Fiore is a solid grappler with better takedowns. However, he admits Hooper could sneak out a win since he may be the better BJJ artist, so no bet is placed.
Big Brady picks Chase Hooper to submit Nick Fiore in the third round, but with low confidence. He notes Hooper has looked better recently, especially in the Felipe Colares fight, but also got knocked out badly by Steve Garcia. He expects this to be a grappling-heavy fight and trusts Hooper's cardio and experience in later rounds over Fiore, who slowed in his UFC debut. However, he admits having much confidence in Hooper is not smart.
Cody thinks Hooper's grappling and cardio could be decisive if the fight stays on the ground. He notes Hooper has been given a favorable matchup and that Fiore's cardio is untested. He takes the underdog for value.
Connor picks Hooper, noting that Fiore's pre-UFC wins were over weak competition and that he was easily handled by Rubezki. He believes Hooper's grappling advantage will be decisive, and that Fiore's aggression will play into Hooper's comfort zone. Connor also mentions that Hooper's move to lightweight is smart and that he will continue to pack on strength.
Daniel Levi picks Chase Hooper as an underdog. He argues that Nick Fiore's style plays into Hooper's strengths: Fiore likes to scramble and grapple, which is Hooper's wheelhouse. Levi notes Fiore is not a threat standing and that Hooper has superior BJJ and flexibility. He acknowledges Hooper's poor striking defense but believes Fiore will take the fight to the mat, where Hooper can win. He calls Hooper his 'fighter to watch.'
The host picks Nick Fiore but is not highly confident, calling it a toss-up between two BJJ black belts. He likes the over 1.5 rounds as the grappling may cancel out early. He thinks Fiore's aggressive style and top pressure could be the difference, and he expects a decision win.
Paul picks Fiore, citing his better striking and the fact that Hooper has taken a lot of damage. He thinks Fiore's grappling is solid and that Hooper's stand-up is not sustainable. He is not confident but leans Fiore.
The MMA Guru believes in New England Cartel's ability to improve fighters. He notes Fiore has dominated regional competition (though against cans) and showed toughness against Ricky Turcios on short notice. He expects Fiore's takedown defense and boxing to be too much for Chase Hooper, predicting a TKO finish on the feet in the first round. He doubts Hooper's athleticism and ability to get the fight to the ground.
Zane picks Hooper, believing he can tangle Fiore up on the mat and come out ahead in scrambles. He notes that Fiore's striking is purely a way to get to grappling, and Hooper is comfortable in clinch and ground exchanges. Zane also thinks Hooper's striking has improved, as seen against Philippa Colares, and that Fiore is not the same level of pocket aggressor as Steve Garcia.
Peter Barrett - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 57 of 117 | 48% | 81 of 144 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 48 of 87 | 55% | 61 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 26 of 55 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 23 of 41 | 56% | 36 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 22 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:51 | |
| 3 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 33 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 57 of 117 | 48% | 18 of 66 | 10 of 18 | 29 of 33 | 55 of 115 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Peter Barrett | 48 of 87 | 55% | 17 of 52 | 9 of 12 | 22 of 23 | 48 of 86 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 25 of 54 | 46% | 3 of 25 | 8 of 12 | 14 of 17 | 25 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Peter Barrett | 23 of 41 | 56% | 11 of 28 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 6 | 23 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Chase Hooper | 22 of 47 | 46% | 10 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 12 of 12 | 22 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Peter Barrett | 21 of 36 | 58% | 4 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 14 | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Chase Hooper | 10 of 16 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Peter Barrett | 4 of 10 | 40% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Chase Hooper to win by first-round submission. He notes Hooper's grappling advantage and Barrett's poor submission defense, but warns against betting Hooper at -400 due to the price. He suggests looking at a prop instead.
Daniel acknowledges Hooper's striking flaws but believes his jiu-jitsu is elite. He views Barrett as a tough brawler who has been submitted before and thinks Hooper will find a way to get the fight to the mat and submit him.
Hooper is the better grappler and should be able to get the fight to the ground against Barrett, who has poor takedown defense. Hooper's jiu-jitsu is elite and he will likely secure a submission in the first or second round. The -400 line is too wide for a developing fighter, but Hooper should win comfortably.
The MMA Guru picks Chase Hooper, citing Hooper's youth and potential for improvement, while noting Peter Barrett's weak competition and lack of impressive wins. He believes Hooper's size and strength will lead to a submission in the first or second round. He acknowledges Hooper is a massive favorite, which is risky, but still picks him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 1 | 54 of 92 | 58% | 82 of 129 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 | 0 | 6:54 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 23 of 57 | 40% | 68 of 107 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 1 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 40 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 8 of 28 | 28% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 17 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:42 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 17 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 3 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 25 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:44 |
| Peter Barrett | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 31 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 54 of 92 | 58% | 40 of 74 | 6 of 10 | 8 of 8 | 41 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 12 of 19 |
| Peter Barrett | 23 of 57 | 40% | 13 of 43 | 9 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 48 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 32 of 53 | 60% | 24 of 44 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 13 |
| Peter Barrett | 8 of 28 | 28% | 3 of 22 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 6 of 11 | 54% | 2 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Peter Barrett | 5 of 8 | 62% | 0 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Youssef Zalal | 16 of 28 | 57% | 14 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 6 |
| Peter Barrett | 10 of 21 | 47% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Stepping up 10 pounds to featherweight, Zalal (9-2, 2-0 UFC) tries to keep it rolling against “Slippery Pete” Barrett (11-3, 0-0 UFC). Drawing the charge is referee Mark Smith, and there is a respectful touch of gloves to open the match. Zalal opens with a body kick and a calf kick to get Barrett’s attention early on. He fakes a knee, and plants a spinning back kick square on the chin of Barrett. “Slippery Pete” goes flying to the ground, and Zalal chases after him while Barrett is still hurt. Zalal keeps pounding on him while Barrett tries to get back up, and he manages to fight his way back to his feet while still on wobbly legs. Zalal plants a right hand on his chin. Zalal pushes the pace on him, working him over to the body and head. Barrett is still trying to regain his composure and get his offense going, while Zalal is keeping his distance with his hands down by his waist. Zalal ducks down and greets Barrett with a stiff right hand, and gets out of the way when a leg kick soars at him. A jab and a one-two come from Zalal, and Barrett is stalking him down but standing still when punches come at him like a heavy bag. Zalal picks at him from a distance, and Barrett crashes in to land a few strikes and clinch up to score some short knees. Zalal grimaces, as one knee may have landed on the cup, but there is no halting the action as Barrett is locked on to him. Zalal tries to spin, and Barrett keeps his grip and tries to lift Zalal in the air to slam him down. Zalal defends the takedown, and uses a kimura to counter the attack from Barrett. They separate, and Barrett wades forward to throw a body kick, head kick and a few wayward punches. Zalal circles along the outskirts of the cage, and Barrett catches him with a kick up top that sends Zalal falling back to the cage. “The Moroccan Devil” wags his finger at him as if to signal he was not hurt, and Barrett laughs at him. The two mean mug one another until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 2
The two fighters come together and start swinging immediately. Zalal backs off after the initial exchange to jab at his foe, all while circling from a wide distance. Zalal steps in with a knee, and Barrett sees it coming so he takes a step back. Zalal uses the opportunity to nail him with a calf kick that nearly turns Barrett around, and he continues his momentum to lock them up. After a clinch exchange, Zalal hits a throw and gets Barrett down. “The Moroccan Devil” quickly takes his back, and uses the position to cinch up a rear-naked choke as Barrett is standing up. The weight of Zalal is slowly dragging Barrett down as his hooks are in, and Barrett is attempting to shake him off but topples over before he can get him away. Zalal connects with a few punches as Barrett sits up with his back on the cage, and Zalal hunts for a differently gripped rear-naked choke. Zalal locks it up on top of the neck and squeezes with all his might, but he bails on it so he doesn’t gas out his arms. Zalal wings an elbow, but it is 12-6 and Smith warns him immediately. Zalal clings to his back like glue, and Barrett stands back up while Zalal is still on his back. Barrett again tries to yank his opponent off, and he is unsuccessful as Zalal flattens him out on the ground. Zalal latches on another rear-naked choke, and this one is tight. Barrett fights the hands to save his neck, and turns him around while standing back up. As the final seconds tick off the clock, Zalal is holding on tight and cannot get the choke. Barrett partially turns him about with one or two seconds left, and he hits him once before Smith intervenes at the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Zalal
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Zalal
Round 3
Zalal opens up the round with a head kick, and he catches Barrett standing still. He then tries to hit the takedown that he landed in the previous frame, but Barrett is wise to it this time and stops it. Barrett stays heavy against the fence, and Zalal drops to a knee so he will not be kneed in the face. Zalal reaches out with a front kick as they separate, and Barrett partially connects with a long left hand. Zalal lands a few punches to keep Barrett at bay, but “Slippery Pete” ties him up to land shots. Zalal shoves him away, and backs off to fire a flying knee at him. Barrett protects himself from it, but Zalal uses the position to take Barrett down. In side control, Zalal sets up an arm-triangle choke, and Barrett defends it and gets punched in the face. The Massachusetts native, down on his back getting punched while likely down on the scorecards, starts laughing. He explodes back to his feet, and Zalal flings a head kick that he notes just barely missed. Zalal strings together a quick combination, and drags Barrett back down to the canvas. Barrett retains full guard and fires off some elbows from his back, but after taking a few shots he gives up mount. Zalal lands a few punches to force Barrett to turn over and surrender his back, and Zalal fishes for the neck again before deciding to land punches. Zalal recommits to the rear-naked choke, and Barrett grits it out by simply waiting and not even fighting the hands. “The Moroccan Devil” does not have enough steam to crank the neck and elicit a tap, and he falls off the back with seconds to spare. Barrett lords over him with five seconds remaining in the round, and drops down a few hammerfists while Zalal throws his legs up to hunt for an armbar. The final bell concludes the fight while the two men are tied up like a human pretzel.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (30-26 Zalal)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (30-26 Zalal)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (30-26 Zalal)
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Peter Barrett via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Zalal confidently, citing advantages everywhere: striking, grappling, and age. He notes Barrett's poor submission defense and tendency to get into bad positions. He predicts a first-round submission for Zalal.
Daniel Levi picks Youssef Zalal to win by decision. He notes that Zalal is more well-rounded and has him outgunned anywhere the fight takes place. Levi believes Barrett's only chance is to turn it into a brawl, but if Zalal fights patiently and mixes his strikes with takedowns, he should win easily. He also mentions that Barrett takes a lot of damage in his fights.
Zalal has better jiu-jitsu, more aggression, and a point-fighting style that should outwork Barrett. He does well getting out of bad positions and has cardio advantage. Barrett's safe approach may prevent a finish, so Zalal likely wins by decision. The line at -325 is a bit wide, so a parlay is suggested over a straight bet.
The MMA Guru picks Youssef Zalal because he was impressed with Zalal's performance against Jordan Griffin, where he stuffed takedowns and didn't give up control time. He notes that Zalal is younger and evolving rapidly, while Barrett is 33 and coming off a long layoff. He believes Zalal is the better striker and will keep his momentum going.
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady picks Chase Hooper to win by first-round submission. He notes Hooper's grappling advantage and Barrett's poor submission defense, but warns against betting Hooper at -400 due to the price. He suggests looking at a prop instead.
Daniel acknowledges Hooper's striking flaws but believes his jiu-jitsu is elite. He views Barrett as a tough brawler who has been submitted before and thinks Hooper will find a way to get the fight to the mat and submit him.
Hooper is the better grappler and should be able to get the fight to the ground against Barrett, who has poor takedown defense. Hooper's jiu-jitsu is elite and he will likely secure a submission in the first or second round. The -400 line is too wide for a developing fighter, but Hooper should win comfortably.
The MMA Guru picks Chase Hooper, citing Hooper's youth and potential for improvement, while noting Peter Barrett's weak competition and lack of impressive wins. He believes Hooper's size and strength will lead to a submission in the first or second round. He acknowledges Hooper is a massive favorite, which is risky, but still picks him.
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