Jefferson Nascimento calls Chase Hooper 'easy money' ahead of UFC Baku debut

Jefferson Nascimento will step into the octagon for the first time on short notice at UFC Baku this Saturday, and the undefeated Brazilian has already picked out a potential second opponent. Nascimento, who defends Tahir Abdullaev at welterweight on June 27, told MMA Fighting he views longtime UFC featherweight Chase Hooper as "easy money" and questioned why the veteran got a roster spot years before him.

The 13-0 lightweight captured his third LFA title defense in May with a fourth-round knockout, earning the UFC contract nine days before he received the call for Baku. Back in April, Nascimento posted a mock fight announcement pairing himself with Hooper after the latter lost by knockout to Lance Gibson Jr. at UFC 324. "He lost, actually," Nascimento said, per MMA Fighting, "and I kept asking myself, 'What does this guy have that I don't? Does he just sell really well?' I couldn't understand it."

Nascimento welcomes hostile crowd in Azerbaijan

Hooper meets Mitch Ramirez on July 18 in Oklahoma City for his 14th UFC appearance. Nascimento plans to campaign at lightweight after Baku but left the door open for welterweight short-notice bookings once he gets past Abdullaev, a fellow promotional newcomer. The RFT product said he relishes fighting in enemy territory and expects the partisan crowd in Azerbaijan to boost his performance rather than rattle him.

"I like that atmosphere, you know?" Nascimento told the outlet. "I think it motivates me and gives me an extra boost. Of course it's great to fight at home, close to my family and friends, but seeing the crowd booing me and then proving them wrong gives me even more motivation." He predicted a knockout finish against Abdullaev and said his game has evolved significantly since he was first named a top Brazilian prospect two years ago. The bout is scheduled for the UFC Baku prelims at 170 pounds.

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Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — UFC Baku newcomer Jefferson Nascimento questions why ‘easy money’ Chase Hooper is still on the UFC roster | MMA Fighting