Salahdine Parnasse - Matchmaking the UFCs Newest Superstar
After a stunning debut in Paris, Salahdine Parnasse is going to be a difficult man to match next. We give it a try.
UFC Paris 2026 is now one for the books, and we have another breakout star to get excited about. Salahdine Parnasse turned the heads of casual fans when he was booked in the headline slot of his UFC debut, but to those who knew what he was about, it all made sense.
The two-weight KSW champion put on a clinic in his home country of France against gritty veteran Dan Hooker. Landing a vicious liver kick, Parnasse followed up with a head kick and brutal ground-and-pound to pick up his first UFC win. The Parisian crowd went wild, as expected, and his 2:35 outing saw him pick up a $100,000 bonus.
Matching Parnasse isn't going to be easy, as there won't be anyone putting their hand up to face him. We look at the options for his next fight.
Matchmaking Salahdine Parnasse
Max Holloway
Taking to the mic after his epic debut, Salahdine Parnasse called out the former featherweight and BMG champion, Max Holloway. He said, "Next fight, top five. My dream fight is Max Holloway".
Salahdine Parnasse calls out the LEGEND Max Holloway! 🗣
Talk about a DREAM FIGHT 👏 #UFCParis | Stream TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/33Ws3DDarr
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt)
The Holloway fight won't be an easy fight to get. He's coming off a win over Conor McGregor, whatever you think of the legitimacy of that win, it's official.
Holloway is ranked #4 in the lightweight division and, although the fight is logial, it's unlikely to happen next.
Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett is an extremely logical fight for Salahdine Parnasse next. He needs the right dance partner to keep his hype going and 'The Baddy' provides just that. Pimblett sells. He's a huge star in his own right, bounced back from his vacant title loss to Justin Gaethje by blitzing through Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329.
On the feet, it's not even a contest. Parnasse would butcher Pimblett. On the ground, however, it's a different story, especially for fans who haven't seen the Frenchman fight before. He's more than capable on the ground, but because we haven't seen it in 'the big leagues', there will naturally be doubts.
Could he avenge his countryman BSD's most recent loss?
Ilia Topuria
Long shot? Without a doubt. A shot at the former champion in just his second UFC fight is certainly a stretch for Salahdine Parnasse, however, would it grab headlines? Certainly. Even in a non-title five rounder, it's a better fight than the current UFC 332 main event, which says something.
Ilia Topuria is coming off a devastating loss to Gaethje and needs to rebuild in a convincing way if he's going to be considered for a title opportunity again. Knocking off a potential contender could do just that. An all-European affair would get fans across the pond excited and it would, without a doubt, have UFC fans all over the world extremely excited.
