Chase Hooper vs. Viacheslav Borshchev: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

American Chase Hooper takes on Russia's Viacheslav Borshchev in a lightweight clash to round off the preliminary card of UFC on ESPN 56. The lightweight bout is likely to be a grappler versus striker contest, with Hooper an experienced Jiu-Jitsu proponent with a black belt in BJJ. UFC on ESPN 56 holds this weekend at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Borshchev, a sharp striker with six wins by knockout, is the slight favorite in the early odds.

MMA: UFC Lightweight

Where to Watch: ESPN+

Venue: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri

Date: 12.05.2024. 01:00

24-year-old Chase Hooper has already amassed eight fights in the Octagon at such an early age. Making an early start in mixed martial arts, Hooper contested and won his fight in DWCS 14 in 2018, but continued to fight in minor promotions before being signed by the UFC. A 2016 Pan American juvenile middleweight blue belt champion, Chase Hooper continues to compete in grappling events, recently losing to former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championships last January. "The Dream" is on a two-fight winning streak, winning both his 2023 bouts.

• Age: 24
• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: 155 lbs (70kg)
• Reach: 75.5"
• Record: 13-3-1 (Draw)

It’s pretty black and white. If we’re striking the whole fight, that’s going to be in his favor, or for grappling, it’s going to be in mine. I feel like grappling is definitely the weakest aspect of his game,” Hooper said. “He’s a high level striker, and I’m a high level grappler. It’s about getting them to where I want to be, which, you know, will definitely be on the ground for me.

Chase Hooper

"Slava Claus" is unbeaten in two UFC fights, with one win and a draw. The Russian needed the victory over Maheshate Haylsaer last July to stop a two-fight rut. Viacheslav Borshchev debuted in the UFC in January 2022 after winning a contract via contender series 2021. Those victories by knockout shots, including the right hook-to-ground strikes used to dispatch Haylsaer, are indicative of the 32-year-old Russian's deadly striking skills. The former Titan FC and LFA lightweight champion would be hoping to return to the win column following a draw against Nazim Sadykhov last November.

• Age: 32
• Height: 5'11”
• Reach: 69"
• Weight: 155 lbs (70kg)
• Record: 7-3-1 (Draw)

Viacheslav Borshchev is a 1.68 favorite on Betway which prices the underdog at 1.99 odds. Chase Hooper by submission is 4.00 odds on Bet365, which prices Borshchev to win by KO/TKO at 2.10. Over 1.5 is listed at 1.84 on 1XBET, with yes to the start of round three available at 2.15. Read more.