Dan Hooker reveals how he'd ideally like to beat Salahdine Parnasse at UFC Paris

Dan Hooker has shed light on the ideal manner in which he'd like to get his hand raised in his upcoming fight. 

"The Hangman" suggested that he'd prefer outclassing his opponent through the championship rounds (round four and five) -- possibly beating the opponent on the judges' scorecards -- rather than securing a stoppage (KO/TKO or submission) win. 

Dan Hooker reveals the exact manner in which he'd like to beat Salahdine Parnasse in their UFC Paris clash

During the UFC Paris media day session, Dan Hooker addressed his opponent Salahdine Parnasse and more. The New Zealander vowed to beat Parnasse in what would be the latter's UFC promotional debut, in his home country of France nonetheless. 

Upon being asked for his prediction for their imminent clash, Hooker stated: 

"I've been working hard in the gym. I've been working hard. Yeah, man, I've had knockouts, and finishes, and this and that. I don't really feel like that proves anything. I feel like I've already proven that I'm a finisher inside of the UFC."

The striking savant added, "What I would like to do is to go out there and to outclass someone, especially in that fourth and fifth round, to showcase my skill and my class in the championship rounds. I feel like it would be a bigger statement and a bigger feather in my cap."

Furthermore, Hooker reiterated that he's reinvigorated and primed to ascend to the upper echelons of the UFC lightweight division yet again. 

Watch Dan Hooker's prediction for his UFC Paris clash against Salahdine Parnasse below (*comments at the 11:40-minute mark of the video): 

Dan Hooker welcomes the dangerous Salahdine Parnasse in what many deem a crossroads clash for the UFC staple

Dan Hooker has never lost thrice consecutively in his professional MMA career thus far, and he'll look to keep in line with that by winning this weekend. The 36-year-old is on a two-fight losing streak, having been submitted by Arman Tsarukyan last year and been finished via TKO by Benoit Saint Denis this year. 

On the other hand, Salahdine Parnasse is on a five-fight win streak. The French-Moroccan combatant has finished all five of them via KO/TKO. The 28-year-old has fought twice this year, earning plaudits for his performances and finding his way into the world's top MMA organization, the UFC. 

Parnasse's most recent mixed martial arts match came under the MVP promotional banner, at the inaugural MVP MMA card in May, which featured him besting Kenneth Cross by way of first-round TKO. 

As of this time, Dan Hooker stands at the No. 12 position in the UFC lightweight division, per the UFC's Meta UFC rankings. Hooker is tasked with facing and beating Parnasse, who's a former KSW featherweight and lightweight champion, which could help him earn a fight with a top-10 opponent next. 

Alternatively, a win for Parnasse over a notable name like Hooker would help add to his brand value, as many believe he could be a top star in the UFC lightweight division in the years to come. The Hooker vs. Parnasse five-round lightweight clash headlines UFC Paris at the Accor Arena in Paris this Saturday, September 5.