Prediction: Chase Hooper via Submission
Hooper’s grappling is on another level—he’s a wizard on the mat, with the kind of transitional speed and creativity that makes him a nightmare once the fight hits the ground. What separates him from most young grapplers is how well he understands how to use his long limbs to control the scramble, threaten multiple submissions at once, and ride transitions. He doesn’t force one position—he floats through them, constantly improving while his opponents try to play catch-up.
Jim Miller has the experience edge and a solid submission game of his own, but at this stage in his career, he’s more vulnerable to high-pace grapplers who can keep him reacting instead of initiating. That’s where Hooper becomes dangerous—his grappling isn’t just about securing a takedown and holding. It’s a wave of attacks from the moment the fight hits the mat, and even if Miller defends the first or second attempt, Hooper is already working the third transition before Miller finishes reacting to the first.
What makes Hooper even more of a problem now is that his striking is steadily improving. He’s using his range more effectively than ever, throwing with volume, and mixing in kicks and straight shots that force opponents to respect the standup just enough to open up his entries. The threat of the takedown creates hesitancy, and his reach makes it tough to pressure him cleanly. Miller typically finds success when he can march forward, land big left hands, and dictate the pocket. But Hooper’s length and constant movement on the feet make it difficult to establish that rhythm, and the added wrestling threat means Miller can’t crash forward recklessly.
Miller’s durability and veteran savvy always make him dangerous, especially early, but over the course of the fight, the momentum likely shifts toward Hooper as he starts to drag things to the mat. And once it gets there, it’s hard to see Miller being able to survive the pace and variety of threats Hooper brings. Expect Hooper to eventually find the back or snatch up a transition that leads to a submission—whether by rear-naked choke or something more creative depending on how Miller defends.