"An event I would not wish even on my worst enemy": Veteran fighter Hooker clashes with Parnas in 'UFC debut in home country' — "Accustomed to high-stakes fights"

*This content was translated by AI.

UFC lightweight (70.3kg) ranked No. 10 'Hangman' Dan Hooker (36, New Zealand) welcomes 'Lion of Atlas' Saladin Parnas (28, France/Morocco), who is new to the UFC.

The UFC will host 'UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs. Parnas' on the 6th (Korean time) at the Accor Arena in Paris, France. In the main event, Hooker, who flew in from New Zealand, will face Parnas, making his UFC debut on French soil. In the co-main event, 'Smile Killer' Pare Ziam (29, France) and Axel Solal (28, France) will engage in a French domestic showdown.

Parnas is a formidable contender from outside the UFC ranks, having held both featherweight and lightweight titles in the Polish organization KSW. With an overall record of 23 wins and 2 losses, he has defeated UFC veterans Marcin Held, Filip Peich, Roberto Luha (who will later join the UFC), Morgan Charriere, and Martin Brzosek. Parnas expressed confidence, stating, "I came to the UFC at the mature age of 28," adding, "I have gained a lot of experience elsewhere, and I have much to show inside the octagon."

Making a debut in the world's top mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, the UFC, on home soil can bring immense pressure. Hooker remarked, "Even for my worst enemy, I would not wish an event like this — having my UFC debut at home and also headlining with the Navy Headquarters advantage," emphasizing that it is "enormous stress and pressure." However, Parnas responded, "I consider it good pressure," adding, "I am accustomed to high-level fights with high stakes."

Parnas is a well-rounded fighter who began his MMA journey at age 11. He excels in kickboxing games utilizing long arms and legs and possesses grappling skills capable of taking opponents to the ground and finishing them with submissions at any moment. Recently, he has been on a hot streak with six consecutive (T)KO victories. Hooker started training in MMA at age 18 after playing rugby. With an overall record of 24 wins and 14 losses, he boasts a 75% finish rate and is known for his powerful striking and relentless determination never to give up.

Regarding Hooker, Parnas evaluated him as "having a very explosive style, showing plenty of action in fights," and predicted, "Since we both enjoy putting on a show in the cage, this will be a perfect fight." Hooker said, "Parnas is young, hungry, and a great fighter, so I am excited for this bout. I am ready, and there is nothing more to say."

Hooker aims to snap his two-fight losing streak and demonstrate he is still in top form. He has begun strength and conditioning training at his team, City Kickboxing. "I entered this camp in great physical condition," he said, adding that he trained with many young, hungry athletes at the gym and drew energy from them, vowing to make a comeback.

In the co-main event of this tournament, lightweight Pare Ziam (18 wins, 5 losses) will face Axel Solal (12 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss). Ziam was on a six-fight winning streak in the UFC before losing to Tom Nolan last June. Solal was on an 11-fight winning streak but suffered his first career defeat against Mason Jones in his UFC debut; however, he bounced back with a first-round D'Arce submission victory over Ismail Bouganim.

It is rare for fighters of the same nationality to compete against each other in the country where the event is held. Ziam commented, "There are now five French fighters in the UFC lightweight division; such things have not happened in other weight classes," and added, "France needs a big fight, and my bout with Solal will be the national main event." Solal stated, "I have met Ziam before, and he was a very good friend," but also resolved, "This weekend, we will never be friends again."

The main card of 'UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs. Parnas' will be broadcast live on tvN SPORTS and TVING starting at 4 a.m. on the 6th.

■ UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs. Parnas Matchup List

△ Main Card (tvN SPORTS/TVING, 4 a.m.)

[Lightweight] #10 Dan Hooker vs. Saladin Parnas

[Lightweight] Pare Ziam vs. Axel Solal

[Middleweight] Michael Page vs. Nurzhan Ruziboev

[Welterweight] Daniil Dontchenko vs. Funaheli Soriano

[Featherweight] Curtis Campbell vs. Trevor Peek

[Featherweight] Rosen Kaita vs. Muhammad Naimov

△ Undercard (UFC Fight Pass, 1 a.m.)

[Featherweight] Morgan Charriere vs. Felipe Lima

[Heavyweight] Mario Pinto vs. Ryan Spann

[Light Heavyweight] Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Modestas Bukauskas

[Featherweight] Nathaniel Wood vs. Pavel Andruska

[Flyweight] Michael Alzuru vs. Fabio Silva

[Women's Bantamweight] Nora Kornol vs. Claudia Gadelha

[Middleweight] Mathieu Dufour vs. Luis Felipe Dias

[Women's Strawweight] Delphine Benouaich vs. Sofia Montenegro

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*This content was translated by AI.