In a funny interview with Ariel Helwani that has set social media ablaze, UFC Lightweight Chase Hooper shared controversial views about his parental aspirations, drawing an unexpected comparison between two professions.
Hooper, known for his youthful appearance and grappling skills in the octagon, revealed that he wouldn’t want his daughter to follow in his professional footsteps.
“Personally, I just don’t want my daughter to be a stripper or an MMA fighter,” Hooper stated during the interview. When pressed on this comparison, he elaborated, “I mean, you’re dancing around in your underwear for people’s entertainment, are you not both of those gigs?”
The 24-year-old acknowledged some gender-based distinctions in his perspective, noting, “If I had a son and he wanted to fight, that’d be different. But a daughter, like, I guess it’s just the natural, like you want to protect them.”
Hooper further explained his philosophy on competing professionally, suggesting his career is meant to create better opportunities for his children. “I think anybody in this sport will tell you, if I fight for my whole career to provide for my family and then they turn around and do the same thing… you kind of feel like you left a little on the table.”
“Hopefully me fighting will mean that they don’t have to fight in the future,” he continued. “They will not have to trade their physical health and their brain health for money. And that’s my goal.”
The comments have generated significant discussion online about gender dynamics in combat sports, with reactions ranging from support for his protective instinct to criticism of the comparison between the two professions.
Hooper, who made his UFC debut at just 20 years old, has been balancing his rising career with new family responsibilities, providing a personal dimension to his controversial take on the physical toll of professional competition.
