Hooker vs Parnasse headlines UFC Paris on Sept 5

Dan Hooker will headline UFC Paris on Saturday, September 5, 2026, against promotional newcomer Salahdine Parnasse in a lightweight bout that the veteran New Zealander says will mark the biggest payday of his career. The event takes place at the Accor Arena in Paris, France, with the main card scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET. Hooker, ranked No. 12 in the UFC's lightweight division, has built a reputation for accepting challenging matchups against rising contenders. He confirmed the financial incentive for this fight was significant, stating he would face any opponent for the offered purse. "It's the biggest payday of my career for sure," Hooker told RMC Sport. "If they pay me this much money to fight the new kids then I'll be fighting the new kids until the day I die." The 36-year-old Hooker holds a 24-14 professional record and is making his 25th UFC appearance. He enters the fight on a two-fight losing skid, with recent defeats to Arman Tsarukyan and Benoit Saint Denis. His last victory was a Fight of the Night performance against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305. Despite his recent struggles, Hooker remains a top-15 contender and is known for his aggressive, fan-friendly style.