Dan Hooker is looking to make a statement at UFC Paris on Saturday.
Hooker is set to headline UFC Paris on Saturday against UFC newcomer Salahdine Parnasse. It’s an intriguing fight, and when Hooker got offered the bout, he admitted he wasn’t sure who he was. However, the UFC gave him quite the pay bump to take the fight.
“I never heard of him,” Hooker told MMA Fighting. “But since that, you find out he’s quite a big name on the European circuit. I’m obviously aware of KSW, that’s a huge show out there in Europe. They’re selling out stadiums. I had no idea who he was. My manager told me how much money they were offering me to fight him, and they must think this kid’s pretty hot. …
“When you’re offered double what you would have got for Justin Gaethje — let’s say I was going to fight Justin Gaethje for half this amount. You’ve got to pay to play. You want a superstar, I’m the only one dumb enough to fight the kid. No one else plays the game like I play the game. I play on high volatility. I play it on high risk. At the end of the day, I’m a prizefighter. I’m here for the biggest prize and this is the biggest prize that is being offered in the world. I’ll be there with bells on.”
Dan Hooker confident ahead of UFC Paris
With Dan Hooker getting a pay bump, he was eager to accept the fight and to make a statement against Salahdine Parnasse.
Hooker knows Parnasse is a fan favorite in Europe, but he believes once he beats him, he will prove he’s the better fighter and silence the crowd.
“That’s so much fun!” Hooker said. “Thinking about that moment gives me a warm feeling in my heart. Everyone is spending their hard-earned money for a ticket, and I’m just going to ruining it. I’m going to spoil the party.
“This kid’s out here to prove he belongs in the top 10, prove he’s in title contention, and he’s going to make a run for the belt and this will be the last time you ever heard of the kid. At the end of the day, he doesn’t get past me. This is going to be the first and last time this kid headlines a UFC event.”
Hooker is 24-14 as a pro and is coming off a TKO loss to Benoit Saint Denis. Before that, he suffered a submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan.
Do you think Dan Hooker will beat Salahdine Parnasse at UFC Paris?
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
