If Salahdine Parnasse is hoping for a Hollywood moment in front of his home fans, Dan Hooker has other plans.
The New Zealander says he’s flying to France to derail the rising star’s momentum, embracing his role as the villain while claiming the buildup to UFC Paris has included a barrage of death threats from some of Parnasse’s supporters.
“I feel like I’m pissing off this kid. You’re ruining his plans. You’re ruining these boys in France,” Hooker told Submission Radio.
“From memory, I can’t even say I watched any of the French events.”
While Hooker has embraced being the villain heading into enemy territory, he says some fans have taken things far beyond competitive trash talk. The New Zealander claimed the reaction online has included repeated death threats.
“F*ck, from what I’m getting, the death threats have been outrageous. I didn’t get it when I fought BSD (Benoit Saint-Denis). Just French people and speaking French telling me I’m going to die and telling me they’re going to kill me and sh*t. The death threats have been outrageous,” he said.
Hooker isn’t declaring war on France, just one particular corner of it. After praising the respect shown by Saint Denis and his fanbase, he unloaded on Parnasse’s fans without pulling punches.
“Maybe because BSD, he’s obviously French as well my last opponent, I feel like because he’s just such a respectful guy. The people who follow him or support him aren’t complete f*cking c*nts,” said Hooker.
“But whoever this c*nts fans are, are outrageous.”
Hooker doesn’t sound like a man worried about fighting on hostile territory. If anything, he seems to be embracing it, saying there’s nothing he’d enjoy more than silencing an arena full of French fans.
“It’s going to feel pretty sweet shutting this kid’s lights out. Making these guys eat their words. I’m here to ruin hopes and dreams. This kid wants to come in, make a name for himself, crack the top 10,” he said.
“He wants to be a superstar, but I’m going to fly to France and I’m going to f*ck everyone’s night up.”
UFC Paris takes place on Sept. 5 in Paris, France.
