The UFC returns to Paris, France’s Accor Arena on Saturday, where French star Salahdine Parnasse makes his promotional debut.
UFC Paris is a rare headlining stint for a debuting fighter. Kai Asakura, a former RIZIN champ, got similar treatment at the end of 2024, and even an immediate title shot. The UFC isn’t going that far with Parnasse, a former KSW double champ at featherweight and lightweight. They are, however, rolling out the red carpet for the “Lion of Atlas,” as he faces Dan “The Hangman” Hooker atop the Paris card.
A big win, and Parnasse will instantly skyrocket to the top of a division that is set to change over in the year year or two. Justin Gaethje is mulling retirement, though signs point to one last fight. Conor McGregor is all but done and last competed at welterweight anyway. Charles Oliveira, Beneil Dariush, Max Holloway (assuming he sticks with 155lbs), and others are on the back side of their careers. Islam Makhachev has already jumped to 170lbs.
Ilia Topuria is still around, of course. Paddy Pimblett is a big part of the division’s future. But names like Parnasse and (should he join the UFC as expected) Usman Nurmagomedov are expected to be the stars of tomorrow at 155lbs.
After winning big on Netflix in May, Parnasse is hoping his UFC debut will make him a star of today for the UFC.
Weigh-ins for UFC Paris take place Friday morning local time. Results can be found below.
UFC Paris: Hooker vs. Parnasse Weigh-In Results
Main card
Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Salahdine Parnasse
Lightweight: Farès Ziam vs. Axel Sola
Middleweight: Michael Page vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Welterweight: Daniil Donchenko vs. Punahele Soriano
Featherweight: Kurtis Campbell vs. Trevor Peek
Featherweight: Losene Keita vs. Muhammad Naimov
Preliminary card
Featherweight: Morgan Charrière vs. Felipe Lima
Heavyweight: Mário Pinto vs. Ryan Spann
Light Heavyweight: Oumar Sy vs. Modestas Bukauskas
Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood vs. Pavel Andrusca
Flyweight: Michael Aljarouj vs. Fabià Sintes
Women’s Bantamweight: Nora Cornolle vs. Klaudia Syguła
Middleweight: Matthieu Letho Duclos vs. Luis Felipe Dias
Women’s Strawweight: Delphine Benouaich vs. Sofia Montenegro
