Dan
Hooker doesn't mind welcoming newcomers to the
Ultimate Fighting Championship if he's compensated
accordingly.

Hooker (24-14) enters enemy territory to take on promotional
debutant Salahdine
Parnasse (23-2) at
UFC Paris on Sept. 5. “The Hangman†recently revealed that his
fight purse for his upcoming bout against the French star is the
“biggest payday†of his career so far.

Dan Hooker discusses his career-high payday for Salahdine
Parnasse at UFC Paris

The Kiwi is no stranger to accepting matchups others usually avoid,
be it short-notice bouts or welcoming fighters into the UFC, as he
did with Michael
Chandler. Hooker jokes that he would even fight former UFC
heavyweight champion Francis
Ngannou for the right purse.

“I'd fight Francis Ngannou for the amount of money they are
paying,†Hooker told RMC Sport Combat. “So, they give me this kind
of stepper on the scale with the same weight as me… Biggest payday
of my career for sure.â€

Notably, in a previous interview, Hooker claimed that he's also
open to welcoming Usman
Nurmagomedov, currently the most sought-after free agent in
mixed martial arts, to the UFC.

🤑 Dan Hooker :
“C'est la plus grosse paye de ma carrière !â€

📺 J-4 avant l’UFC Paris sur RMC Sport 1. pic.twitter.com/o87omvAtrt

— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat)
September 1, 2026

UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is reportedly injured and unable to fight in the rumored UFC 332 main event.

The UFC matchmakers will reportedly have to go down alternative avenues to book a main event for UFC 332 after their rumored initial plan hit a roadblock.

UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, who hasn't fought since defeating Zhang Weili last year at UFC 322, was rumored to fight in the UFC 332 main event against top contender Natalia Silva. Silva, who has earned recent wins over former titleholders Rose Namajunas, Alexa Grasso, and Jessica Andrade, is the consensus No. 1 contender in the division.

With just about a month to go before UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, the card remains without an announced main event booking. Despite recent rumors that Shevchenko vs. Silva would headline the card, those plans were scratched due to unfortunate circumstances.

Ag.Fight was the first to report the news of Shevchenko's injury. As of this writing, the nature of Shevchenko's injury remains undisclosed.

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Natalia Silva canceled for UFC 332 as card remains without headliner

It's also uncertain if Silva still plans to fight at UFC 332 in a potential interim title bout during Shevchenko's hiatus. Originally, the UFC was expected to book an interim light heavyweight title bout for UFC 332 amidst champion Carlos Ulberg's injury recovery, but nothing has materialized.

As of this writing, the arguably highest-profile bout on the card features bantamweights Payton Talbott vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, leaving the matchmakers without an ideal option to promote to the main event slot.

A women's bantamweight bout between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes could be an option, but Harrison is coming off neck surgery and will need ample time to cut down to 135 lbs. UFC 332 continues to be one of the biggest unknowns of the year as October 3rd quickly approaches.

What potential fight do you want to headline UFC 332? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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Modestas Bukauskas is looking to prove he's a top-15 light heavyweight at UFC Paris.

Bukauskas is set to take on Oumar Sy at UFC Paris in what should be a fan-friendly fight at light heavyweight. Bukauskas is coming off a decision win over Christian Edwards back in May in a lackluster fight, but it was an opponent change on short notice.

Although Bukauskas was originally booked to face Rodolfo Bellato, he didn't want it rebooked after he beat Edwards.

“This is perfect timing. I got back into training and was working on my skills. I was ready for whenever a call would come, and I fought in May, and this is a pretty quick turnaround,†Bukauskas said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “… I wouldn't want to have that fight. He is the one who pulled out on Tuesday. He had his chance; I am now looking ahead. Funny enough, Christian Edwards is now fighting Bellato. That ship has sailed, and I'm looking ahead.â€

With Bukauskas not wanting to face Bellato, he wasn't sure who would be next for him. Yet, when he was offered to face Oumar Sy at UFC Paris, he wasn't surprised this was the fight.

“I knew he might have been an opponent,†Bukauskas said. “We fought on the France card last year; we were in the same locker room. I have respect for him. Because the French card was coming up, and like putting European fighters on the European cards, I thought this might have been the avenue they might take. … Even though I am facing a hostile crowd, I love it.â€

Modestas Bukauskas looking to make a statement at UFC Paris

Entering UFC Paris, Modestas Bukauskas is the betting underdog, but he doesn't care about that. Instead, he believes he has the right game plan and tools to get his hand raised.

“He's a very well-rounded fighter, versatile striking. A good wrestler; we are coming in prepared. I have to take it to him. I have to put it on him on fight night,†Bukauskas said.

Should Bukauskas get his hand raised at UFC Paris, the goal is to get a ranked opponent next, and possibly a fourth fight in 2026 later this year.

“I think people kind of are overlooking that with a win hre is nine wins in the UFC light heavyweight division. Not many guys have that many wins. I had a bit of a setback against Krylov. I have to show I deserve a top guy, and the way to do it is beating Oumar Sy,†Bukauskas concluded.

Do you think Modestas Bukauskas will beat Oumar Sy at UFC Paris?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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