For the first time in his career, Chase Hooper has lost twice in three fights.
At UFC 263 on Saturday, Steven Peterson defeated Hooper (10-2-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) by unanimous decision and swept all rounds from all three judges.
Shortly after the fight, Hooper released a lengthy statement on Twitter in which he provided detailed insight into his mentality entering a fight and voiced confidence in his fighting future despite the rough patch.
Read Hooper’s full statement below:
“I’ve always compared fighting to jumping off a cliff. You’re slowly walking your way towards the edge not knowing fully what to expect when you make that leap. It’s one of the scariest and most vulnerable experiences you can be a part of. You and another man are literally showing everything you’re made of in front of your family, friends, and the world in the most primitive and real way possible.
“Say what you will, but I always give it my all and leave everything in the cage. Never will I make any excuses and never will I apologize. I did some things well, but not well enough. I made some improvements, but not enough. Time is on my side, but that’s no excuse. I just need to continue to grind in and out of the gym and make the changes necessary to continue to develop and improve myself as a fighter.
“At the end of the day, I get to go in there and do what so many people can only dream of and I’m able to support myself and have a life that (I) didn’t even know was possible for myself. The split side of that is that the mistakes and missteps I make are broadcast to the world and my worth is analyzed by some based only on 15-minute sections of my life.
“No apologies, no excuses. Thanks to everybody for the support, especially my beautiful fiancee that puts up with this crazy life, and the guys who are with me in the trenches everyday and who are in my corner no matter what.”
Prior to the Peterson (19-9 MMA, 3-3 UFC) loss, Hooper defeated Peter Barrett by submission in December. That win came on the heels of a unanimous decision defeat to Alex Caceres in June 2020.
UFC 263 took place Saturday at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. The main card streamed on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.