Chase Hooper made a statement with his first-round victory over Jordan Leavitt at UFC Vegas 82 in a lightweight bout. The 24-year-old secured a submission victory via a rear naked choke hold in the third minute of their contest.

And after his spectacular performance, the question of who Hooper fights next has been a subject of widespread speculation. Hooper, however, has a candidate in mind: former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Chase Hooper calls out Francis Ngannou

Hooper retweeted a post by an X user who posted a picture of Hooper next to Francis Ngannou, suggesting that it was time for a fight between the two. “The only fight that makes sense now,” the Washington native wrote with his tongue firmly in his cheek. And like the victorious Hooper, Ngannou too, is riding on a high.

The PFL fighter put on a spectacular performance against heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, which he barely lost by one point. The WBC has ranked him no. 10 because of the bout, and seems likely that his next fight will be in the ring. One reason for this is the absence of an appropriate opponent for the Cameroonian in MMA. And with Hooper signed to the UFC and Ngannou with the PFL, fans will seemingly be robbed of the dream matchup.

Fans react to Hooper calling out Ngannou

Fans were dismayed that they would not get to see the former heavyweight champion fight a novice lightweight anytime soon.

One fan felt Ngannou ran to the PFL as he was scared of Hooper:

“Ngannou ran away to the PFL. Too scared of Ben Askren’s kid”

Another agreed:

“Francis ran away cause he was too scared of you”

Another would bet on Hooper with a spectacular victory over Ngannou:

“I got money on chase…flying triangle for the win”

Also Read: ‘Five Years Old’ Francis Ngannou Possessed Power of a 10-Year-Old, Ex-UFC Champ’s Mother Makes Bold Claim Before Million Dollar Tyson Fury Clash

One fan thought Ngannou would be too scared to fight Hooper:

“Francis don’t want that smoke.”

Another felt Ngannou was a good matchup for Hooper so long as he doesn’t make contact with the Cameroonian:

“This is a good matchup for chase. He just needs to avoid taking any damage or being hit on any part of the body”

Another pointed out that Hooper fought in the lightweight division while ‘The Predator’ was a heavyweight:

“Reading the comments I sometimes can’t tell if people are being sarcastic or not, everyone does realize Chase fights lightweight”

Do you think there is a chance that Francis Ngannou could avoid getting beaten by Chase Hooper? Let us know your thoughts on the fantasy matchup in the comments section below.

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