Chase Hooper Submits Mitch Ramirez in First Round at UFC Oklahoma City
Chase Hooper secured a first-round submission victory over Mitch Ramirez in a lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman. The finish came via rear-naked choke at 2:15 of Round 1 and improved Hooper’s record to 17-5-1 while dropping Ramirez to 8-4.
The contest took place on the main card Saturday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Hooper entered looking to snap a recent skid and return to his grappling strengths, while Ramirez aimed to build momentum in the lightweight division.
Hooper needed little time to force the finish. He landed 4 of 8 total strikes at 50 percent accuracy compared to Ramirez’s perfect 3 of 3. Significant strikes followed a similar pattern, with Hooper connecting on 3 of 7 attempts (42.9 percent) while Ramirez landed his only try.
Neither fighter scored a knockdown. Hooper completed one of two takedown attempts. Ramirez recorded none. Hooper generated the fight’s only submission attempt, which proved decisive once he secured the back.
The quick sequence began with a level change after a left hand. Hooper transitioned to the mat, worked to the back, and locked in the choke for the tap. The efficient grappling performance highlighted the skill set that has long defined his approach inside the Octagon.
This result gives Hooper a much-needed win and a return to form through the ground game. Securing a first-round finish against a durable opponent demonstrates his ability to close distance and capitalize once the fight hits the mat. For Ramirez, the loss marks a difficult outing against an experienced grappler who wasted little time imposing his will.
The lightweight division continues to feature a mix of established names and rising talent. Performances built on quick submissions often keep fighters relevant for future matchups as the roster turns over. Hooper’s effort positions him for continued activity after a short night’s work.
Ramirez showed willingness to engage early but found himself in trouble once the takedown landed. His limited striking output left few openings to disrupt Hooper’s entries. Both men leave Oklahoma City with clear information from a brief but decisive main-card bout.
Hooper will look to build on the submission win and maintain the grappling edge that delivered the finish. Ramirez must now regroup and identify adjustments that can neutralize similar level changes in future outings.
The Oklahoma City card featured several finishes, and this lightweight contest added another early stoppage. Hooper’s combination of timing and ground control proved enough to end the night in just over two minutes.
As the lightweight ranks continue to develop, results like this one help define the next opportunities. Hooper leaves with a hard-earned victory and a demonstration of his core strengths, while Ramirez gains experience against a high-level grappler. Both fighters will turn their attention to what comes next after a bout that ended quickly.
