Robert Whittaker called out by former UFC champ for light heavyweight return
Today's UFC Paris event was headlined by a lightweight contest featuring Dan Hooker taking on Salahdine Parnasse.
Hooker (24-15 MMA) had entered the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. ‘The Hangman' had most previously competed this past February at UFC 325 in Sydney, where he suffered a second-round TKO loss to Benoit Saint Denis. That setback was preceded by a submission defeat to Arman Tsarukyan in November of last year. Prior to those losses, Dan Hooker had put together a three-fight winning streak, a stretch which included victories over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot.
Meanwhile, Salahdine Parnasse (24-2 MMA) was making his Octagon debut this evening in Paris. The former two-division KSW champion had entered the contest on a five-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming over Kenneth Cross at May's ‘Rousey vs. Carano' MVP MMA event.
Tonight's UFC Paris headliner proved to be a coming out party for Salahdine Parnasse. The former KSW champion made quick work of Dan Hooker, disposing of ‘The Hangman' in the very first round. The finishing sequence began with a kick to the liver and ended with a nasty left hand that sent Hooker crashing to the canvas. It was an impressive showing for the UFC newcomer and sets him up for a high profile fight next time up.
Official UFC Paris Results: Salahdine Parnasse def. Dan Hooker via KO (punches) at 2:35 of Round 1
Check out how the pros reacted to ‘Hooker vs. Parnasse' below:
Man i got a feeling Dan bout to be put out cold….
— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) September 5, 2026
Post-fight reactions to Parnasse defeating Hooker at UFC Paris:
Wow. impressive performance. Patient, methodical and when he decided to go was able to finish it. #UFCParÃs
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 5, 2026
Parnasse is going to be a problem
So fast, so powerful, so precise and with that sort of killer instinct when he smells blood in the water.
Impressive debut with the first round TKO of Dan Hooker.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 5, 2026
I cannot believe people thought Dan Hooker would beat Salahdine Parnasse. #UFCParis
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) September 5, 2026
Wowwwwwwww. Blitzed him. Salahdine Parnasse has arrived.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 5, 2026
Damn did him bad Parnasse welcome to rankings and the ufcðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) September 5, 2026
Aight he's getting Michael Chandler next
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 5, 2026
Early thoughts on Parnasse. He can fight top level. No doubt! Not great on the mic though. Had the opportunity for a Uros Medic moment in his home country. Just didn't have that thing. #UFCParÃs
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 5, 2026
Who would you like to see Salahdine Parnasse fight next following his knockout victory over Dan Hooker this afternoon in France? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!
Raoni
Barcelos says medical testing has yet to determine why he lost
consciousness during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship headliner against Raul Rosas
Jr.
Barcelos faced Rosas Jr. in the main event of
UFC Vegas 121 last month. The Brazilian led on the judges'
scorecards entering the fifth round but lost consciousness during a
grappling exchange against the fence. Rosas Jr. was awarded a
technical knockout victory, and the 39-year-old Barcelos was
transported to a Level 1 trauma center.
Raoni Barcelos undergoes medical tests after losing
consciousness against Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC Vegas 121
Barcelos said he is undergoing tests in Las Vegas to determine what
happened. He hopes to continue fighting but has not ruled out
retirement.
“Unfortunately, we don't know what happened,†Barcelos told MMA
Fighting. “It was a sudden illness. I fell ill and I felt my whole
body really starting to go numb. After that, I don't remember
anything. I only remember [arriving] in the ambulance, asking my
father what happened, and him trying to explain it as best as he
could. It really was an unfortunate [circumstance]. I got sick and
to this day we still don't understand. I'm undergoing a battery of
tests here in [Las] Vegas. I had another on Monday and we're
waiting for a good result. The doctor hasn't released the results
yet and everything is being kept confidential. But I feel better
every day.â€
Barcelos (22-6) entered the bout on a five-fight winning streak. He
has competed in the UFC since 2018, compiling an 11-5 promotional
record with victories over Said
Nurmagomedov, Cody
Garbrandt and Payton
Talbott.
Raoni
Barcelos is still waiting for a diagnosis after his mysterious
health scare: “We don't know what happened. It was a sudden
illness. I fell ill, and I felt my whole body really starting to go
numb. After that, I don't remember anything.” (🎥 @guicruzzz)
https://t.co/dVJzTkkBkl
Darren Till gets honest about his performance in win over Yoel Romero
Jasmine Jasudavicius is looking to cement herself as a title contender at UFC Edmonton.
Jasudavicius is set to take on Erin Blanchfield in the co-main event of UFC Edmonton. Jasudavicius enters the bout as a +255 underdog while the American is a -350 favorite on FanDuel. The fight was supposed to happen at UFC 330 in August, but an injury to Blanchfield delayed it to August. Although the Canadian was frustrated to have the fight postponed, she is ecstatic for it to be taking place in Edmonton now.
“That is exactly it. It was like two weeks out that I heard it was being moved,†Jasudavicius said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Initially, I was so frustrated because I just put in a whole camp. I was ready, my weight was good, and I was firing on all cylinders. It got moved, and at least we are fighting in Canada now. This works out even better.â€
With extra time, Jasudavicius said she did take some time off to avoid burnout. But she also feels like the extra time will only help her, as she knows Blanchfield is one of the best in the world.
“She's talented; she's one of the top fighters in the world. I won't be talking too much shit. She's skilled, but I know how skilled I am, and I am ready to test myself against the best girls in the world,†Jasudavicius said.
Jasmine Jasudavicius hopeful to earn title shot at UFC Edmonton
Although Jasudavicius is an underdog, she has full confidence in her skillset. She believes she is better on the feet. So, she expects Blanchfield to try and wrestle her a ton, especially once she lands a couple of punches.
If Jasudavicius can turn Blanchfield into just a wrestler, she is confident she will be able to pull off the upset win at UFC Edmonton.
“I'm not too sure. I've watched all of her fights, and it's not like she's going to the wrestling right away; she is comfortable with striking. But I do think once she feels these hands, she will be shooting a little bit more. … My hand will be raised at the end of the night,†Jasudavicius said.
If Jasudavicius gets her hand raised, she believes it will cement her as a title contender at flyweight. And, it would set up a rematch with Natalia Silva, which the Canadian would be thrilled to get the chance to not only avenge her loss, but to take the belt off her.
“It would mean a lot; it's a big milestone,†Jasudavicius concluded. “Just getting into the UFC is a big deal; getting 10 fights in the UFC is a big deal; to get 10 wins is another feather in my cap. … That would be my dream. She gave me the lost which hurt, so if I can take the belt off her, it would fulfill me. I show well, say I finish Blanchfield, it would be me in the talks to get a title shot.â€
Do you think Jasmine Jasudavicius will beat Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton?
I know a lot of folks are looking ahead to UFC 333 next weekend, but up here in CANADA we're stoked for UFC Edmonton this Saturday, headlined by Joaquin Buckley vs. Mike Malott.
OK, “stoked†might be overselling it a tad, but this card is not for you hosers! It's Canada vs. The World, with a ton of pressure on Malott to prove he's the real deal after being handed a top-10 opponent in Buckley. Time to deliver.