UFC Paris Staff Picks: Lightweight Strikers Clash in Exciting Main Event
UFC Paris happens Saturday. Who did our staff choose to win?
A new month is upon us, and with it, a new and action-packed UFC card. At UFC Paris, lightweight contender Dan Hooker is set to welcome promotional newcomer Salahdine Parnasse. In the penultimate match of the night, more lightweight action unfolds, with Farès Ziam and Axel Sola squaring off in a Fight of the Night potential confrontation.
UFC Paris Main Event
Gaining a reputation as one of the most game fighters on the roster, Hooker has accepted challenges against some of the preeminent combatants his division has ever produced, such as Edson Barboza, Dustin Poirier, and Islam Makhachev. Happy to headline his second card in almost a year, “The Hangman” is eager to play spoiler to the much-revered Frenchman.
Gaining a lot of notoriety during his run in KSW, Parnasse rose to become the fourth fighter in the company’s history to win two belts under their banner, scoring both the featherweight and lightweight straps. Deadset on making a statement in his freshman Octagon outing this weekend, “Lion of Atlas” is bearing his fangs at the rest of the UFC’s 155-lb class.
UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Back in June, Ziam saw his six-bout winning streak come to a sudden end after falling to top prospect Tom Nolan at UFC Vegas 118. Now back on home soil, “Smile Killer” is ready to bounce back into the winner’s circle to the delight of the attendees of the Accor Arena.
UFC Paris marks the third bout of 2026 for the young Sola, who has gone 1-1 in his last two fights. Coming off a highlight-reel performance over Ismael Bonfim, the Frenchman can make a convincing case for a shot at the rankings if he can best the equally talented Ziam.
More Bouts on the UFC Paris Main Card
Rounding out the main card, former Bellator icon Michael Page battles Nursulton Ruziboev. Then, Ultimate Fighter winner Daniil Donchenko meets Punahele Soriano. Also, Kurtis Campbell collides with Trevor Peek. Finally, Losene Keita crosses paths with Muhammad Naimov.
UFC Paris Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
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UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
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PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.
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ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC Paris picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Shanghai:
1. Hank Strandberg: 157-77
2. Frazer Krohn: 130-94
3. Drew Zuhosky: 118-118
4. Andrew Benjamin: 29-27
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Losene Keita -355
Vs.
Muhammad Naimov +287
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Keita by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Naimov by First Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Keita by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Keita: 2
Staff picking Naimov: 1
Kurtis Campbell -400
Vs.
Trevor Peek +300
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Campbell by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Campbell by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Campbell by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Campbell: 3
Staff picking Peek: 0
Daniel Donchenko -233
Vs.
Punahele Soriano +195
WELTERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Donchenko by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Donchenko by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Soriano by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Donchenko: 2
Staff picking Soriano: 1
Michael Page -176
Vs.
Nursultan Ruziboev +149
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Page by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Page by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Page by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Page: 3
Staff picking Ruziboev: 0
Fares Ziam -152
Vs.
Sola Axel +130
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Ziam by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Ziam by First Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Axel by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Ziam: 2
Staff picking Axel: 1
Salahdine Parnasse -600
Vs.
Dan Hooker +451
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Parnasse by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Hooker by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Hooker by Third Round Knockout
Staff picking Parnasse: 1
Staff picking Hooker: 2
