LAS VEGAS — Four weeks of freestyle wrestling preparation, one formidable opponent and a dominant defeat weren’t enough to discourage Hope Chase from chasing her ultimate goal: becoming a UFC world champion.
The professional mixed martial artist, known as “Hurricane,” made her Real American Freestyle debut Friday, Oct. 23, against Bella Mir at RAF14 inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Mir, the daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir and an NCAA women’s wrestling champion, secured a 10-0 technical fall victory in the second period.
Despite the defeat, Chase remained upbeat about her experience and wasted little time making her ambitions known.
“My future plans are to be the UFC bantamweight champion of the world,” Chase said during an exclusive post-match interview.
“So, Dana, put me on the roster.”
Four Weeks to Prepare for an NCAA Champion
Chase entered RAF14 knowing she would be competing against an accomplished wrestler in a discipline she had never experienced in official competition.
While the matchup presented a considerable challenge, she welcomed the opportunity.
“This was my first ever wrestling match,” Chase said, describing the decision to face Mir as jumping into the deep end.
According to Chase, she accepted the matchup on four weeks’ notice and began training specifically for freestyle wrestling at that time.
The experience represented a significant adjustment for an athlete accustomed to mixed martial arts, where striking and submissions provide additional offensive opportunities.
Against Mir, Chase faced an opponent who had built her competitive foundation around wrestling.
The difference became evident as Mir established control and accumulated points, including a powerful slam during the contest.
Asked about the dramatic moment, Chase appeared unfazed.
“Oh, nothing. You know, it was a fight,” she said before correcting herself to call it a match.
Chase praised Mir’s strength and acknowledged the challenges of competing against an established wrestling specialist.
However, she made it clear that she would welcome another opportunity against her.
“I’d love a rematch with her in the future,” Chase said.
She also suggested the two could eventually meet under MMA rules, where Chase believes her striking abilities would provide a different competitive dynamic.
“That’s where I shine,” she said.
“Dana, Put Me on the Roster”
While her RAF debut didn’t produce the result she wanted, Chase believes her willingness to challenge accomplished opponents demonstrates the mentality necessary to compete at the highest level.
Her ambitions extend far beyond professional freestyle wrestling.
During the interview, Chase directly addressed UFC President and CEO Dana White, expressing her desire to join the promotion’s bantamweight division.
“Can you see me now?” Chase asked.
She urged the UFC to contact her management team and emphasized that she is prepared to face difficult opponents, even when doing so requires stepping outside her comfort zone.
For Chase, accepting a wrestling match against Mir was another opportunity to demonstrate that competitive mindset.
She also revealed that she expects to compete in two additional RAF matches.
“I’m going to hit the gym,” Chase said, explaining that she intends to return with more training and experience.
Her comments suggest that the loss has not diminished her enthusiasm for professional wrestling, even as she continues pursuing a future inside the Octagon.
Chase Reacts to Khamzat Chimaev’s Dominant Victory
Chase’s interview took place shortly after Khamzat Chimaev delivered one of RAF14’s most dominant performances.
The former UFC middleweight champion defeated UFC Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler by an 11-0 technical fall in the opening period of their catchweight wrestling matchup.
Chase, who watched the contest, was impressed by Chimaev’s ability to impose his wrestling against the former UFC welterweight champion.
“I love Robbie Lawler,” Chase said before praising Chimaev’s performance.
“He’s elite,” she added.
Chase believes the arrival of prominent MMA fighters in RAF is helping introduce professional freestyle wrestling to audiences who might not otherwise follow the sport.
Speaking from her own experience as an MMA crossover athlete, Chase said the promotion creates additional competitive opportunities while expanding wrestling’s visibility.
“I love it. I love it,” she said of the crossover format.
She also credited RAF for building a platform where athletes from different combat sports backgrounds can compete against one another.
RAF14 Brawl Sparks Debate Over Wrestling’s Growing Spotlight
Beyond the competition itself, RAF14 generated considerable attention following a chaotic press conference Thursday involving Arman Tsarukyan and Dillon Danis.
The confrontation escalated into a brawl that required security personnel to intervene.
Asked whether such incidents benefit professional wrestling or risk damaging the sport’s reputation, Chase offered a balanced perspective.
She acknowledged that intense rivalries can produce heated confrontations, particularly among highly competitive athletes.
“You want to control yourself as much as you can,” Chase said.
However, she also recognized that emotions and personal rivalries are part of the entertainment surrounding combat sports.
Chase praised security personnel for responding quickly and suggested that the controversy had contributed to the anticipation surrounding Friday’s main event.
As Tsarukyan and Danis prepared to compete, Chase predicted a victory for Tsarukyan.
Her prediction proved correct.
Tsarukyan defeated Danis by a 10-0 technical fall in the first period to capture the RAF middleweight crossover championship, concluding a turbulent fight week with a decisive performance.
What’s Next for Hope Chase?
Although her first RAF appearance ended in defeat, Chase left Las Vegas with clear ambitions.
She wants another opportunity against Bella Mir, additional experience in freestyle wrestling and, ultimately, a chance to prove herself in the UFC.
Her approach reflects one of RAF’s growing attractions: giving athletes from different competitive backgrounds an opportunity to challenge themselves in unfamiliar territory.
For Chase, that means embracing the possibility of failure while continuing to pursue championship aspirations.
Her message to Dana White was unmistakable.
She’s ready for an opportunity.
And if another challenge comes along in professional wrestling, Chase intends to be ready for that, too.
