Daniel Cormier Names the Only "Real Grappler" at 155 Who Can Ground Salahdine Parnasse
Following Salahdine Parnasse's dominant performance at UFC Paris, Daniel Cormier named the only lightweight contender who can beat the Frenchman at his own game.
When French-Moroccan superstar Salahdine Parnasse made his long-awaited debut at UFC Paris, he sent immediate shockwaves through the lightweight division. The former two-division KSW champion needed less than three minutes to dismantle veteran contender Dan Hooker, scoring a vicious first-round TKO in front of a roaring home crowd.
Parnasse entered the Octagon boasting a stellar 24-2 professional record and a reputation as one of Europe’s premier pound-for-pound martial artists. His explosive debut immediately proved that his elite striking and championship pedigree seamlessly translate to the sport's biggest stage.
Naturally, the combat sports world took notice of the French-Moroccan phenom, including former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier. Analyzing the newly arrived lightweight contender, Cormier broke down how Parnasse matches up against the top rankers at 155 pounds.
While the division features a murderer's row of dangerous strikers like Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier, Cormier identified a unique stylistic hurdle for the French sensation. DC noted that most top contenders prefer standing throwdowns, a scenario where Parnasse excels, but pointed out that surviving against a dedicated ground specialist requires a completely different skill set.
Paddy Pimblett Identified as the Ultimate Stylistic Threat
That lone grappler threat at the top, according to Cormier, is Liverpool's own Paddy Pimblett. "Parnasse, fighting the other guys at 155, they're generally strikers. Those are great fights," Cormier stated during his post-fight analysis. "There's one real grappler at the top of that division right now to try and ground this man, and that's Paddy Pimblett, who's really good at it."
Pimblett holds a 24-4 professional record with 11 victories by submission, utilizing high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to snatch finishes in chaotic scrambles.
Pimblett’s lethal ground game was on full display in his recent victory over Benoit Saint-Denis, where "The Baddy" locked up a slick first-round submission. While Parnasse displayed devastating blitzes and power on the feet against Hooker, dealing with a relentless submission technician like Pimblett on the mat presents a trickier puzzle. Pimblett's ability to absorb damage and drag fights into grappling exchanges could force Parnasse completely out of his comfort zone.
If UFC matchmakers eventually decide to pair the 28-year-old French phenomenon against Liverpool's favorite son, fight fans would be treated to a captivating striker-versus-grappler showdown. Parnasse has already proven he belongs among the elite, but facing a relentless grappler will tell us everything about his long-term ceiling. As Parnasse aims for UFC lightweight championship gold, proving he can defend against Pimblett's persistent ground assault might be the ultimate test of his title credentials.
