'Upset' ranked No. 10, taken down in just 2 minutes and 25 seconds... Parnas's thrilling six-fight win streak: "I am the world's best fighter"

*This content was translated by AI.

'It was an upset.' Saladin Parnas (28) caused a sensation by knocking out ranked No. 10 Dan Hooker (36) in the first round during his UFC debut at home.

On the 6th (Korean time), Parnas secured a TKO victory over Hooker in just 2 minutes and 25 seconds of the first round in the main event lightweight (70.3kg) bout at 'UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs. Parnas' held at Accor Arena in Paris, France.

Parnas, who had previously captured both KSW featherweight and lightweight titles in Poland, took control early with a kick exchange, then finished the fight with sharp body kicks, head kicks, followed by a left hook and a flurry of punches.

With this UFC debut win, Parnas achieved six consecutive (T)KO victories across organizations, improving his professional record to 24 wins and 2 losses. By defeating the top-10 ranked Hooker, he also boosted his chances of immediately entering the UFC lightweight top 10 rankings.

In an octagon interview immediately after the victory, Parnas stated, "I am the world's best fighter. Just as I finished every previous fight with a KO, I was confident I could finish this one too."

He then issued a challenge to ranked No. 4 lightweight Max Holloway. Parnas said, "My dream opponent is Holloway. He is a legend, a BMF champion, and a former featherweight champion, and I am ready to face him." He added, "If the Holloway fight doesn't happen, give me another top-5 fighter."

In the co-main event, a lightweight showdown between two French fighters, Axel Solal knocked out Paree Jiam with a left overhand hook in just 1 minute and 40 seconds of the first round. Despite absorbing Jiam's sharp left elbow to the face, Solal aggressively pressed forward and landed a powerful counter punch to floor his opponent. This marked Jiam's first KO loss in his professional career.

Solal, who defeated his compatriot, praised Jiam: "Jiam is truly an excellent fighter. Please send him lots of support." He continued, "I hope fans enjoyed my fight. As my role is to accept matchmaker proposals, I will wait for any offer." A former champion of French Arès FC, Solal secured two consecutive UFC finishes, improving his record to 13 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

Rosen Kaita, a former two-division champion from Czech organization Octagon MMA, also recorded his first Octagon victory. Kaita knocked out Muhammad Naimov with a powerful right overhand hook in 2 minutes and 54 seconds of the first round, improving his professional record to 17 wins and 2 losses.

On the undercard, Curtis Campbell, who gained attention for overcoming bullying during his school days, tasted the joy of his UFC debut win by defeating Trevor Peek with a rear-naked choke submission in 3 minutes and 7 seconds of the third round.

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*This content was translated by AI.