Chase Hooper misses weight for first time at UFC Oklahoma City

Chase Hooper missed weight for the first time in his mixed martial arts career, coming in at 157.5 pounds for his lightweight bout against Mitch Ramirez at Friday's UFC Oklahoma City weigh-ins.

The 26-year-old, a 13-fight UFC veteran who moved back up to lightweight in 2023 after beginning his promotional run at featherweight, will forfeit 20 percent of his purse, per MMA Fighting. The bout will proceed as a catchweight contest with Ramirez, who made 155.5 pounds.

Du Plessis and Usman hit middleweight limit

While Hooper stumbled on the scale, both headliners for Saturday's main event made weight without issue. Former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, returning to the cage for the first time since losing his title, weighed 185.5 pounds. Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman used the full one-pound allowance, stepping onto the scale at 186 pounds for the five-round contest.

The co-main event between Jared Cannonier and Christian Leroy Duncan is also locked in. Cannonier hit the championship mark of 185 pounds, while Duncan checked in at 185.5 pounds.

Hooper was not the only fighter to miss Friday. Ezra Elliott came in at 147.5 pounds for his featherweight opener against Damien Anderson, overshooting the limit by 1.5 pounds. The UFC has not yet announced whether that bout will proceed or what fine Elliott will face.

The card airs Saturday on Paramount+ with prelims starting at 5 p.m. ET and the main card at 8 p.m. ET.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — UFC Oklahoma City weigh-in results: Chase Hooper, another fighter miss weight | MMA Fighting