UFC Veteran Reveals Special Payment Factor in Decision to Fight in France

Hooker promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

PUBLICITY:

Dan Hooker revealed that financial considerations also weighed heavily in his decision to accept the fight against Salahdine Parnasse in the main event of UFC Paris , scheduled for September 5th. The veteran of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg) stated that the purse offered by the organization was one of the factors that caught his attention, the largest of his career, but highlighted that the opportunity to fight for the first time in France was also very important in his decision.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani's channel, the New Zealander stated that he always had the desire to travel the world through his time in MMA and that getting to know new countries is one of the great rewards provided by the sport. According to Hooker, competing in different places was one of the main reasons that led him to pursue a career as a fighter, and he wondered if he was receiving the best pay of his life.

See too

Jon Jones points out a detail that would make Khamzat Chimaev unbeatable in the UFC.

UFC Belgrade star claims he can knock out Carlos Prates: 'I would love to'

Jon Jones reveals how he would have beaten Khamzat Chimaev in his prime: 'I was the absolute best'

“My manager, Ash, told me how much money I was going to get, and I said, ‘Long live Paris, everyone!’ Man, I love this. I’ve never been to France. That’s one of the main reasons I started fighting, to travel to new places,” said Dan Hooker.

PUBLICITY:

Even knowing he'll have the crowd against him when facing a French athlete in Paris, Hooker showed good humor when talking about the reception he expects. The veteran joked about the reputation of the local fans and assured everyone he's eager to experience fighting in front of a French audience.

“I’m excited to go there. I’m sure not everyone hates me, and I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun there. I’ve heard terrible things , if they’re true, and I want to go there and check them out personally,” the UFC veteran added.

PUBLICITY:

Last fights of the Frenchman and the New Zealander

Salahdine Parnasse promotes Netflix MMA event. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube/MVP

Despite the rivalry, the veteran arrives at the fight trying to break a losing streak. The 36-year-old New Zealander has a professional record of 24 wins and 14 losses and is coming off two consecutive defeats, to Arman Tsarukyan by submission and Benoit Saint Denis by technical knockout.

Before the losing streak, "The Hangman" had beaten names like Mateusz Gamrot and Jalin Turner and remains one of the most experienced athletes in his category's ranking.

On the other side, Salahdine Parnasse arrives at the UFC surrounded by expectation. The 28-year-old Frenchman lands in the organization with a record of 23 wins and only two losses, in addition to a positive streak of five victories.

The former KSW featherweight and lightweight champion, a Frenchman, gained even more prominence after his knockout victory on the Netflix card and will now have the chance to prove his level against a lightweight veteran in his first fight in the octagon.