MMA
Salahdine Parnasse explains why he decided to sign with the UFC and headline UFC Paris against Dan Hooker
Published
3 weeks agoon
Salahdine Parnasse has finally decided to sign with the UFC.
Parnasse signed with the promotion and will headline UFC Paris on Sept. 5 against Dan Hooker. It's a fan-friendly fight, as Parnasse has been sought-after for years, but he felt like the time was now to sign with the promotion as he got a chance to headline a card in his country and against a top-ranked opponent.
“After my fight with MVP, the UFC contacted me, and it was a really simple opportunity: to be part of the main event in my hometown of Paris. This time, the deal was better, and they offered me the opportunity to be part of the rankings by taking a fight against Dan Hooker. It's a really good opportunity for me,†Parnasse said to Ariel Helwani.
Salahdine Parnasse is getting a massive chance in his promotional debut against Dan Hooker to cement himself as a top-10 lightweight.
Salahdine Parnasse not concerned about Dan Hooker's complaint
Although Parnasse might not be a household name to UFC fans, he's a huge star in Europe and in France.
However, after the UFC announced the fight, Dan Hooker revealed he's getting death threats from the French fans. Yet, that doesn't seem to worry Parnasse, as he doesn't care about it and instead is just focused on the fight.
“Everything with the fans, my fans or Dan's fans, doesn't concern me. I have only one goal, and it's to fight Dan Hooker on September 5. I respect Dan Hooker, but the fans do what they want. It doesn't concern me. Dan Hooker's fans can say nasty things to me, but I'm only focused on the fight,†Parnasse added.
Salahdine Parnasse enters UFC Paris with a record of 23-2. He's coming off a first-round KO win over Kenneth Cross at the MVP MMA event earlier this year. He's the former KSW featherweight and lightweight champion, and even fought for the KSW welterweight title but lost a decision.
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MMA
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Published
6 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Smith has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges stemming
from a July domestic incident in Nebraska.
Court records confirmed
Smith’s plea, resulting in the cancellation of an arraignment
scheduled for Aug. 17. The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title
challenger is now due back in court for a status hearing Sept. 21
in Sarpy County.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith faces four felony
charges stemming from an alleged July domestic incident in Gretna,
Nebraska
Smith faces one Class 2 felony count involving an attempted Class 1
offense, a terroristic-threats charge and two counts of
first-degree false imprisonment, all classified as Class 3A
felonies. A Class 2 felony in Nebraska can carry a prison term of
one to 50 years, while Class 3A felonies carry up to three years of
imprisonment and 18 months of post-release supervision.
Prosecutors allege that Smith became involved in an altercation
with his wife at a Gretna, Nebraska, bar on July 26. They claim
Smith threatened to kill his wife, forced her into his vehicle and
later attempted to strike her with the vehicle after she exited it.
His wife was not physically injured, according to prosecutors’
account.
Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations. His wife, Mikhala
Renee Newman, previously offered a different characterization of
the incident, saying Smith was experiencing a mental health crisis
and that she had sought help to protect him from himself.
MMA
Gillian Robertson rejects Din Thomas' apology due to insincerity: "I don't think there's a conversation to be had"
Published
7 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Zuffa LLCThe relationship between Gillian Robertson and coach Din Thomas appears to have been fractured.
Thomas was in Robertson's corner for the UFC 330 co-main event. Robertson challenged Mackenzie Dern for the women's strawweight title this past Saturday in Philadelphia. “The Savage†ultimately had her five-fight winning streak snapped, and her bid for UFC gold fell short via unanimous decision.
During the UFC 330 post-fight show on Paramount+, Thomas announced that he will no longer be cornering fighters. While many felt the timing of Thomas' reveal was bizarre, the backlash occurred when the longtime coach said he felt Robertson came as close as she'll ever get to winning UFC gold.
During Monday's edition of “Deep Waters,†Thomas apologized for his comments and even called them “despicable.†Despite the apology, Robertson isn't exactly forgiving. On a recent episode of “The Ariel Helwani Show,†Helwani detailed a message that Robertson sent to him (via Home of Fight).
I reached out to Gillian Robertson following Din Thomas' comments and subsequent apology to get her thoughts on the situation. Here’s what she had to say:
“Prior to [Saturday’s broadcast], I didn’t see any sign of what was to be said.
After the broadcast, he had said, ‘I will… pic.twitter.com/NnoonGmkGQ
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 18, 2026
“He did reach out to me privately at 5:00 PM and then sent a voice message apologizing around 7:30 PM, to which I have not responded due to comments he has made since the broadcast, privately, to my team that led me to believe there is not much weight in the apology, such as, ‘Me doing that publicly was more so for TV purposes and ratings,’†Robertson wrote.
The top 115-pounder seems ready to move on from the situation, and she wants to get back to work as soon as possible.
“I don't think there's a conversation to be had,†Robertson wrote. “I'm good with everything. The people who sign my checks are cool. As for now, I regroup, take some time to heal, and I will be back in the gym as soon as possible on the same mission.â€
Thomas noted that he had been considering ending his run cornering fighters long before Robertson fought Dern. The former American Top Team mentor said he thought he'd be done after Tyron Woodley was knocked out by Jake Paul in their boxing rematch back in 2021. Whether or not he sticks to it this time remains to be seen.
Do you agree with Gillian Robertson's response to Din Thomas' apology? Sound off in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
DWCS Week 2 official after all 10 fighters make weight
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Gillian Robertson rejects Din Thomas' apology due to insincerity: "I don't think there's a conversation to be had"
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