Chase Hooper

Chase Hooper is an American mixed martial artist fighting in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Born September 13, 1999, in Enumclaw, Washington, he turned professional before his 18th birthday and quickly earned a reputation for an aggressive, well-rounded style that blends striking with grappling. As of 2026, Hooper is one of the younger fighters on the UFC roster, with a growing fan base that follows his climb through the lightweight rankings. His fights are known for their pace and determination, and he continues to develop his skills alongside top-level competition.[edit]

Chase Hooper grew up in Enumclaw, a small city at the base of Mount Rainier in Washington State. He started training in wrestling and jiu-jitsu as a kid, drawn to combat sports from an early age. By his early teens, he was already competing in local tournaments, showing a natural feel for submissions and ground control. Hooper attended Enumclaw High School, where he wrestled and continued to train in mixed martial arts outside of school. He made his professional MMA debut in 2017, still a teenager, fighting on the regional circuit in the Pacific Northwest. Those early bouts were against seasoned opponents, and Hooper won several of them by submission or TKO, building a record that caught the attention of UFC scouts. His performances in promotions like CageSport and others in Washington and Oregon showed a fighter who was raw but hungry, with a finishing instinct that stood out. By late 2019, with just a handful of pro fights under his belt, Hooper got the call to join the UFC, a rapid rise for someone who had only recently graduated high school.[edit]

Chase Hooper made his UFC debut on December 14, 2019, at UFC 245 in Las Vegas. He faced Daniel Teymur and won by TKO in the first round, stopping Teymur with ground-and-pound after dropping him with a right hand. The win introduced Hooper to a global audience and marked the start of his UFC career. Over the next few years, he fought a mix of veterans and rising prospects in the lightweight division. In 2020, he lost by submission to Alex Caceres but bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Peter Barrett in 2021. Hooper continued to refine his game, training at top gyms and working on his striking to complement his strong grappling base. In 2023, he submitted Nick Fiore in the second round at UFC on ESPN 44, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. As of 2026, Hooper remains an active UFC lightweight, still in his mid-20s with room to grow. His record inside the promotion shows a fighter who learns from each bout and aims to climb the rankings one fight at a time.[edit]

Chase Hooper is seen as a young, scrappy fighter with a bright future. Media coverage often highlights his age and the fact that he debuted in the UFC while still a teenager. His fighting style is described as aggressive and well-rounded, with a particular strength in grappling. On social media, Hooper posts training clips, fight announcements, and occasional glimpses of his life outside the cage. He engages with fans directly on Instagram and Twitter, building a following that appreciates his work ethic. There is no official fandom name, but his supporters are often called Hooper fans or simply MMA followers who track his career. His public persona is that of a dedicated athlete focused on improvement, without much controversy or drama.[edit]

Chase Hooper's presence in the global sports landscape is modest but steady, driven primarily by his appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and his engagement with a dedicated social media following. As of August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated his profile but has not placed him in any published ranking, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This means that, while he is a recognized figure within the MMA community, his fame does not currently register on the same scale as the world's most prominent athletes or celebrities.

His fanbase, which interacts with him through platforms like Instagram and X, has no formal name or organized structure. There is no evidence of fan-driven campaigns, such as billboards or charity drives, nor any distinctive rituals or inside jokes that would define a unique fandom identity. Instead, his supporters are typical MMA enthusiasts who follow his career through conventional channels, appreciating his fighting style and his candid, sometimes humorous, social media presence.[edit]

Chase Hooper turned professional in MMA before he turned 18, making him one of the youngest fighters to ever sign with the UFC. He grew up in Enumclaw, a town known for its logging history and as the setting for the movie The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Hooper has mentioned that his favorite submission is the rear-naked choke. He trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California, alongside other UFC fighters. His nickname, "The Dream," is used in some circles, though he typically competes under his own name.

A story that has become part of his lore is his make-or-break fight at UFC Oklahoma City in July 2026, where he submitted Mitch Ramirez in the first round. Prior to that bout, Hooper had considered walking away from MMA entirely and had a plan to return to a "normal job" if he lost. The victory was described as flawless and marked his first fight in Seattle in eight years.

Another significant moment was a first-round TKO loss to Lance Gibson Jr. in March 2026, a defeat that likely raised the stakes for his subsequent fight. Additionally, Hooper engaged in a verbal exchange with Sean O'Malley in March 2026, calling O'Malley's upcoming fight a "layup" at a UFC White House event.[edit]

Hooper keeps his family life private. He was raised in Enumclaw, Washington, by parents who supported his early interest in martial arts. He has not publicly named his parents or siblings in interviews. As of 2026, Hooper is not married and has no children. He lives and trains in Sacramento, California, away from his hometown.[edit]

Chase Hooper is associated with the UFC organization and its lightweight division. He trains at Team Alpha Male, a well-known MMA gym in Sacramento, California. His opponents include Daniel Teymur, Alex Caceres, Peter Barrett, and Nick Fiore.[edit]

Chase Hooper has not publicly discussed any romantic relationships. There are no confirmed reports of past or current partners. As of 2026, he is reportedly single and focused on his fighting career.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Chase Hooper's net worth at $3 million. His primary income comes from UFC fight purses, which include base pay and win bonuses. For his debut fight at UFC 245, he earned a reported $12,000 base plus a $12,000 win bonus. As he gained experience, his pay increased; by 2023, his disclosed purse for the Nick Fiore fight was $30,000 to show and $30,000 to win, plus a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Hooper also earns from sponsorship deals, though these are not publicly detailed. His net worth has grown steadily since joining the UFC, reflecting his rising profile and consistent fight schedule.[edit]

Chase Hooper has not won any major industry awards outside of UFC performance bonuses. His most notable accolade is a Performance of the Night bonus earned in 2023 for his submission win over Nick Fiore.[edit]