Overview
- Hooper secured a rear‑naked choke at 2:15 of Round 1 to beat Mitch Ramirez at UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City on Saturday, finishing the bout shortly after a takedown scramble.
- He missed the lightweight limit at the official weigh‑ins, weighing about 157.5 pounds while Ramirez made 155.5, and the fight proceeded as a catchweight.
- Hooper credited recently retired Michael Chiesa for tactical tips that refocused his camp on grappling and led to the back‑take, body triangle and choke sequence that ended the fight.
- The victory ended Hooper’s two‑fight losing streak, moved his record to 17‑5‑1, dropped Ramirez to 8‑4, and relieved immediate pressure on Hooper’s UFC job that a third straight loss would likely have created.
- Beyond the result, Hooper said the bout was career‑saving and noted personal stakes including a growing family and financial pressure, and he now intends to fight again before the end of the year.