“I really think it was good timing”: Salahdine Parnasse explains why he waited to join the UFC after Dan Hooker win

Salahdine Parnasse made his highly anticipated UFC debut last weekend. He faced Dan Hooker in the main event at UFC Paris and made his arrival in the promotion with style by finishing Hooker in the very first round. 

He recently shared why he took time to get into the UFC, revealed that he had rejected offers several times before, and explained why this was the right time to do so. 

Salahdine Parnasse explains why turning down previous UFC offers was right decision after Dan Hooker win

In his recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Parnasse was asked whether the version of himself from a few years ago would have looked as impressive in his UFC debut or whether waiting allowed him to become more comfortable and establish himself before taking on the new challenge.

Parnasse believes the timing worked out perfectly and explained that he wanted to enter the UFC during a new generation of fighters while challenging himself to compete for championship gold eventually.

“I really think it was good timing for me. There’s a new generation coming into the UFC, and I wanted the new challenge of getting the belt with this generation,” Parnasse said.  

Check out Salahdine Parnasse's comments below:

With the impressive victory over ‘The Hangman, ’ Parnasse earned his spot in the top 10 lightweight rankings. He secured a 9th-place ranking and pushed the veteran UFC fighter to 13th. 

Parnasse already has a name he wants to face next, getting himself one step closer to UFC gold. 

Salahdine Parnasse calls out Max Holloway 

After making quick work against Hooker and securing an impressive knockout victory at 2:35 of the first round, he called out former UFC featherweight and BMF champion Max Holloway, who is currently ranked fourth in the lightweight division. 

Parnasse praised Holloway and said it is his dream to fight someone great, like the Hawaiian.

“I mentioned Max Holloway because for me, he is a legend. As I said, I want to fight Max Holloway, I know he is a legend, this is not a joke, it's just a dream I've had for a long time, and with all due respect, I really want to fight a legend like Max,” Parnasse said. 

After his victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 329, Holloway expressed that he wants to take some time off. So realistic is the matchup that it could not be made now, as Parnasse wants to make a quick return.