UFC fighter reveals who Ilia Topuria would not accept to fight and explains why.

Topuria was punished by Gaethje in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

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Dan Hooker didn't hold back when pointing out why he accepted to face Salahdine Parnasse , a French prospect who will make his UFC debut next Saturday (5), at UFC Paris . The New Zealander stated that the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg) probably wouldn't be willing to take the same kind of risk against the Frenchman.

In an interview, Hooker commented on the difference between his attitude and that of other names in the division and revealed that there is a specific reason why he was chosen to face Parnasse. The fighter also recalled an episode involving Michael Chandler , where he accepted a fight in a similar situation.

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“Do you think Ilia Topuria would take that risk of fighting an unranked fighter who isn’t part of the UFC? Nobody wants to take that risk. It’s the same reason I was chosen to fight Chandler. It’s the same reason they’re paying me to fight Parnasse, because none of these guys in the division want to risk everything for a pittance,” said Dan Hooker.

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.

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