Dan Hooker says he has been flooded with death threats from French fans after accepting a main event clash against Salahdine Parnasse at UFC Paris.
The New Zealand lightweight will headline the Sept. 5 card at the Accor Arena against former two-division KSW champion Parnasse, who is making his highly anticipated UFC debut. While Hooker expected a hostile reception fighting in France, he admitted he was surprised by the level of abuse he has received since the matchup was announced.
Speaking on Submission Radio, Hooker revealed that many of the messages have come from French fans threatening violence.
“The death threats have been outrageous. I didn’t get it when I fought Benoit Saint Denis. Just French people speaking French telling me I’m going to die and telling me they’re going to kill me.”
Dan Hooker Compares Salahdine Parnasse Fans to Benoit Saint Denis Supporters
Hooker previously defeated French contender Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 325, but says the atmosphere surrounding that fight was completely different.
According to Hooker, Saint Denis’ supporters were far more respectful than the reaction he has received ahead of UFC Paris.
“I feel like because he’s such a respectful guy, the people that follow him or support him aren’t complete idiots. But whoever this guy’s fans are, they’re outrageous,” Hooker said.
The comments come as anticipation continues to build for one of the biggest fights on the UFC Paris card.
Hooker Embraces the Villain Role at UFC Paris
Rather than allowing the threats to distract him, Hooker says they have only increased his motivation heading into enemy territory.
The longtime UFC veteran believes his job is to spoil Parnasse’s homecoming and silence the French crowd.
“I’m here to ruin hopes and dreams. This kid wants to come in, make a name for himself, crack the top 10. He wants to be a superstar, but I’m going to fly to France and ruin everyone’s night.”
Hooker added that defeating Parnasse in front of his home fans would make the victory even more satisfying after everything that has happened since the fight was announced.
Salahdine Parnasse Receives Immediate Main Event Opportunity
The matchup marks a major opportunity for Parnasse, who joins the UFC after establishing himself as one of Europe’s top lightweights during his time in KSW.
Rather than easing him into the promotion, the UFC has booked Parnasse directly into a five-round main event against one of the lightweight division’s most experienced contenders.
Hooker acknowledged the risk involved but said he welcomed the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity to earn another statement victory while stopping one of the UFC’s most highly touted newcomers before he reaches the rankings.
UFC Paris Set for September 5
Hooker and Parnasse will headline UFC Paris on Sept. 5 at the Accor Arena, with the winner expected to take a significant step forward in the lightweight division.
For Hooker, the fight has become about more than rankings. After weeks of hostile messages from French fans, he now has another source of motivation as he prepares to spoil Parnasse’s UFC debut in front of his home crowd.
