LAS VEGAS – Viacheslav Borshchev wants his next fight to be one he’s already had.
Following his UFC on ESPN 62 win Saturday, Borshchev (8-4-1 MMA, 3-3-1 UFC) said his main goal is to re-up with the promotion on a new contract. It was unclear if his previous fight marked the end of a deal or if the next one will.
Regardless, Borshchev is fixated on trying to get a rematch of the fight prior, a submission loss to Chase Hooper – one he said was not officiated properly.
“I really want a rematch with Chase Hooper,” Borshchev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference Saturday. “… I know I might not really deserve it yet because my last opponent was… I hope you enjoyed it, but it wasn’t that good as I expected. So I might need to deserve this rematch and I’m OK with this, as long as the UFC will give me this opportunity.”
The initial fight between Borshchev and Hooper (14-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) took place in May. The official result was Hooper by second-round D’Arce choke. Borshchev appeared to slap the back of Hooper as the choke sank in and the two fighters rolled. Referee Keith Peterson saw the solo pat as a sign of submission and waved off the fight, but Borshchev immediately protested.
“With all respect to Chase, I wish him only the best, no complaining,” Borshchev said. “But I did not tap last fight. I know he knows it. I know it. I did not tap. This keeps bothering me but it also keeps me going.”
CHASE HOOPER LOCKS UP THE SUBMISSION VICTORY #UFCSTLOUIS pic.twitter.com/DYK4PgiRmJ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 11, 2024
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.
