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UFC 330 winner Mackenzie Dern doesn't need to beat Zhang Weili to solidify title reign: "I proved I was the champ"

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3 weeks ago

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UFC 330 winner Mackenzie Dern doesn't need to beat Zhang Weili to solidify title reign: "I proved I was the champ"
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Mackenzie Darn is still the women's strawweight champion following UFC 330, and she doesn't feel a bout with Zhang Weili is necessary to vindicate her title run.

Dern thwarted the challenge of Gillian Robertson inside Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia this past Saturday. At the end of the opening frame, Dern worked her jiu-jitsu game and nearly had a rear-naked choke prior to the horn. Dern had success throughout the fight setting up takedowns and maintaining top control, and it earned her a unanimous decision win.

This was Dern's first successful UFC Women's Strawweight Championship defense. Some fans have been calling for Dern to face former 115-pound champion Weili, who was never defeated for the gold in her second reign. Instead, Weili vacated the championship in an effort to chase the women's flyweight title.

During the UFC 330 post-fight presser, Dern dismissed the idea that she needs to defeat Weili in order to give her title reign credibility (via MMAJunkie).

“I felt like the champion before I won the belt,†Dern said. “I just feel like I solidified myself even more as a champ for the fans that they would say that. I don't think I need to (beat) Weili to be a champ. People retire. I'm not saying that's what she's going to do but the more defenses I can get at this, whoever comes next, I think I proved I was the champ. Gillian was on a five-fight winning streak. Virna was a four-fight winning streak. I just became a four-fight winning streak. I don't know how much more I need to do from that.â€

Weili hasn't competed since falling short in her bid for the women's 125-pound championship back in Nov. 2025. Dern didn't commit to calling out the Fight Wing UFC Hall of Famer, and said it's up to the UFC matchmakers to determine her next challenger. If it is indeed Weili, Dern feels she will be ready for her second title defense.

Do you agree with Mackenzie Dern, or do you think she needs a win over Zhang Weili to solidify her UFC title run? Share your opinion in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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Pros react after Salahdine Parnasse stops Dan Hooker at UFC Paris

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7 hours ago

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September 5, 2026

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Pros react after Salahdine Parnasse stops Dan Hooker at UFC Paris
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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:

Post-fight reactions to Parnasse defeating Hooker at UFC Paris:

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!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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UFC Paris Results: Salahdine Parnasse KO's Dan Hooker (Video)

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7 hours ago

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September 5, 2026

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UFC Paris Results: Salahdine Parnasse KO's Dan Hooker (Video)
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We have you covered for all of today's UFC Paris results, including the lightweight main event between Dan Hooker and Salahdine Parnasse.

Hooker (24-14 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. ‘The Hangman' 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 loss to Arman Tsarukyan in November of last year. Prior to those defeats, Dan Hooker had put together a three-fight winning streak, a stretch which included victories over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot.

Meanwhile, Salahdine Parnasse (23-2 MMA) will be making his Octagon debut this evening in Paris. The former two-division KSW champion will enter 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.

Round one of the UFC Paris headliner begins and Dan Hooker is being very patient early. Salahdine Parnasse is using a lot of feints and movement. Both men connect with kicks from range. Hooker continues to dish out the low kicks, but Parnasse is checking most of them. Salahdine is backing ‘The Hangman' up against the cage. A heavy body kick from Parnasse hurts Hooker! That looked like a liver shot. Hooker is doubled over and covering up! Salahdine Parnasse swarms him with shots. A big left hand drops the UFC veteran and this one is all over! WOW! What a debut!

Official UFC Paris Results: Salahdine Parnasse def. Dan Hooker via KO (punches) at 2:35 of Round 1

Who would you like to see Parnasse fight next following his knockout victory over Hooker this afternoon in France? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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UFC Paris Results: Axel Sola KO's Fares Ziam (Video)

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8 hours ago

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September 5, 2026

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UFC Paris Results: Axel Sola KO's Fares Ziam (Video)
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We have you covered for all of today's UFC Paris results, including the lightweight co-main event between Fares Ziam and Axel Sola.

Ziam (18-5 MMA) will enter the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a decision loss to Tom Nolan in his most recent Octagon appearance this past June. Prior to that setback, the ‘Smile Killer' had strung together a six-fight winning streak, a stretch which included knockout victories over Matt Frevola and Nazim Sadykhov.

Meanwhile, Axel Sola (12-1-1 MMA) most previously competed this past July, where he scored a first-round submission victory over Ismael Bonfim. Prior to that triumph, the Frenchman was coming off the first loss of his professional career which he suffered at the hands of Mason Jones by way of unanimous decision.

Round one of the UFC Paris co-headliner begins and both men come out swinging. Fares Ziam with a jab. He comes forward with another, but Axel Sola counters him with a big overhand left. Both men hit the floor, but Ziam is out cold. Sola with a couple of follow up shots before the referee jumps in. WOW! What a performance from Axel in France!

Official UFC Paris Results: Axel Sola def. Fares Ziam via KO (punch) at 1:40 of Round 1

Who would you like to see Sola fight next following his knockout victory over Ziam this afternoon in France? Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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