When a big name from another promotion joins the UFC, they get Dan Hooker.

Fighting out of New Zealand, "The Hangman" will face former KSW two-division champion Salahdine Parnasse atop the upcoming UFC Paris fight card, set for this Saturday night (Sept. 5, 2026) at Accor Arena in Paris, France.

Hooker and Parnasse came face-to-face earlier today, skipping the tourist traps in favor of some shadowy tunnel near a busy city street.

Hooker's Payday

Hooker (24-14) admitted he had never heard of Parnasse before the fight was offered.

"I never heard of him," Hooker told MMA Fighting. "But since then, 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."

Hooker revealed the payday was significantly more than what he would have earned for a fight with Justin Gaethje.

"You've got to pay to play. You want a superstar, I'm the only one dumb enough to fight the kid."

High Stakes

The 36-year-old Hooker acknowledged the risk but embraced his role as the veteran gatekeeper.

"No one else plays the game like I play the game," Hooker continued. "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."

Hooker dismissed Parnasse's championship pedigree and issued a bold warning.

"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."