There is zero question that the UFC has built this year’s Paris card around debuting French star Salahdine Parnasse.
Parnasse (23-2), who admitted to feeling “good pressure” during this week’s UFC Paris media day, is a former KSW double-champ at featherweight and lightweight. He was nearly a triple champion, coming up short in an attempt at welterweight gold.
It’s back to 155lbs for Parnasse this Saturday, with “Lion of Atlas” suggesting that “I think I’ve built myself in this division.”
Facing Dan “The Hangman” Hooker out of the gate, Parnasse added that “I think I can go up slowly and surely in the rankings, and I think it’s the right moment.”
While his opponent has suggested Parnasse might be feeling the pressure of making his debut on the biggest stage in MMA at home, the French fighter insisted that it was “quite the opposite. It’s great to be fighting here in Paris. We’ve had many great fights, and I’m hoping to have a great fight here as well.”
Asked about the state of the lightweight division, with a new champ in Justin Gaethje, Parnasse said that “I think the division is packed right now, and that’s a good thing. That’s why I’m really focused on Dan Hooker right now. Having a good fight, getting in the rankings and moving forward. But I think the division right now is very, very packed and very good.”
Overall, his UFC debut finally coming to pass is a “great feeling,” the 28-year old stated. “I just hope on Saturday I can show all my talent, all my technique, and that’s about it.”
Watch the full UFC Paris media day appearance by Salahdine Parnasse above.
