Dan Hooker Willing to Fight Anyone After Revealing Career-Best Payday at UFC Paris

The Accor Arena in Paris will witness a rather rare UFC headliner this weekend. Promotional debutant Salahdine Parnasse is set to take on a familiar name in Dan Hooker, with the Frenchman receiving a hero’s welcome from the home crowd. While Parnasse looks to make a statement on his UFC debut, Hooker appears more than happy to play gatekeeper at lightweight, especially when the financial incentive makes it the biggest payday of his career.

Dan Hooker Has No Problem Playing Gatekeeper

Coming off two back-to-back losses, New Zealand’s Dan Hooker is slated to test his mettle against the French-Moroccan fighter at UFC Paris. “The Hangman” last fought Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 325, which ultimately resulted in a Round 2 TKO loss. 

Prior to that, he was submitted by Arman Tsarukyan last year, meaning the September 5 bout could prove to be another pivotal moment in Hooker’s UFC career. Waiting across the Octagon is Parnasse, the former two-division KSW champion who has already established himself as one of the most accomplished fighters outside the UFC. 

Rather than complaining about being used as the experienced name tasked with testing the UFC's latest arrival, he appears to embrace it. The 36-year-old recently spoke to RMC Sport about the financial incentive attached to his UFC Paris main event, and he made it pretty clear that he has no problem being the man standing between the UFC's new prospects and the top of the division.

Dan Hooker Ready to Welcome Parnasse to UFC

“That works for me,” Hooker said when it was suggested that he had become the man who introduces new fighters to the big leagues. He added, “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.”

Money does talk, at least in such scenarios. Hooker (24-14-0) has already endured the punishing side of a career at the highest level. If the UFC is prepared to compensate him handsomely for welcoming the next generation into the promotion, there is little reason for him to turn the opportunity down.

The No. 12-ranked lightweight isn't limiting his willingness to fight based on the name standing opposite him.

“I’d Fight Francis Ngannou” for This Kind of Money

Hooker's comments became even more telling when he explained just how lucrative the Paris main event is. The veteran wasn't simply talking about a healthy payday. According to him, this will be the biggest payday of his career.

“I’d fight Francis Ngannou for the amount of money they’re paying, and they’re giving me an opponent who’s going to step on the scale the same weight as me? “It’s the biggest payday of my career for sure,” the Kiwi said.

Parnasse, meanwhile, will have a very different motivation when the cage door closes. The Frenchman is stepping into the UFC for the first time with an opportunity to immediately announce himself as a legitimate contender.  Furthermore, a victory over a veteran of Hooker’s caliber would boost his stocks

Dan Hooker Could Make Salahdine Parnasse's UFC Premiere Challenging

However, on paper, Hooker has a few advantages that could make Parnasse’s UFC debut particularly difficult. For starters, the New Zealander has the edge in both height and reach. Hooker stands at 6-foot-0 with a 75-inch reach, while Parnasse is listed at 5-foot-10 with a 73-inch reach. 

A two-inch reach advantage may not sound significant, but against an opponent who relies heavily on speed and explosive combinations, those extra inches could prove decisive.

Hooker is also the far more experienced UFC fighter. The upcoming bout will mark his 25th appearance inside the Octagon. While the Frenchman has competed in plenty of high-pressure fights during his KSW days, a UFC main event against a seasoned veteran presents a different challenge altogether.

Although Hooker averages 4.82 significant strikes per minute, according to UFC Stats, he also absorbs 4.94 significant strikes/minute. And against Parnasse, however, that approach comes with obvious risks.

The 28-year-old arrives with a 23-2 record and 15 finishes, and his speed could create problems if Hooker gives him clean entries. Parnasse has already shown he can finish, most recently stopping Kenneth Cross in the first round at MVP MMA 1.