Salahdine Parnasse’s UFC debut couldn’t have gone better, and as far as Daniel Cormier is concerned, no fighter has ever done it better.
The dominant French lightweight wowed the crowd at Accor Arena in Paris this past Saturday with a first-round demolition of veteran contender Dan Hooker. Fans, fighters, and media were also in amazement, and it feels like the sky is the limit for Parnasse, who already had an impressive run with Poland’s KSW promotion that saw him win and defend titles at 155 and 145 pounds.
Cormier discussed Parnasse’s win on his YouTube channel, calling it the best he’s seen yet for a first-timer inside the octagon.
“We talk about debuts and impressing in those debuts, I don’t think we’ve seen a more impressive one,” Cormier said. “When a guy comes over from another organization, it’s hard. We have seen people from even Bellator, really struggle. We saw [Patricio] Pitbull struggle and he had dominated there. We saw Aaron Pico struggle, now he seems to have corrected the ship in his second UFC appearance and looked amazing. Michael Chandler did good, but then struggled after.
“We have seen people struggle at times making the jump. I struggled, I thought my UFC fight was subpar because I was nervous. It was a different platform. It was a bigger platform, and you could feel that whenever you get to the UFC. He didn’t struggle at all.”
Parnasse has now won 11 of his past 12 fights and immediately enters the UFC lightweight title picture as a serious contender. Numerous future champions have impressed in their first UFC appearances, such as Alistair Overeem when he ran through former heavyweight king Brock Lesnar, Justin Gaethje living up to his “Highlight” hype against Michael Johnson, and two-division Cage Warriors champion Conor McGregor putting a stylish beatdown on Marcus Brimage.
Cormier believes Parnasse’s previous high-level experience makes him particularly suited to conquer the star-studded 155-pound roster.
“KSW, he was a champion in two different divisions,” Cormier said. “Guys, that Polish organization is as good as any regional organization in the world. I’m not talking regional, like one of the smaller ones just around the United States. This is a global organization that people go to fight to and try to become champion. He fought 12 title fights before ever stepping foot inside the octagon.
“I don’t know that we have seen a person have that level of high-level of experience going into the octagon since maybe Alistair Overeem. I’m not talking Pereira with the kickboxing individually. I’m not talking Gable Steveson with the wrestling individually. I’m talking about a person that competed in that individual sport and MMA at that level for that long. This kid had that. Twelve title fights going into that fight last night.”
That said, Cormier wonders if Parnasse’s grappling defense could prove to be one of the weaker aspects of his game and he one name in particular intrigues him as a potential foil for Parnasse.
“Parnasse, fighting the other guys at 155, they’re generally strikers,” Parnasse said. “Those are great fights. There’s one real grappler at the top of that division right now to try and ground this man, and that’s Paddy Pimblett, who’s really good at it.”
After his win, Parnasse called for a “dream fight” with Max Holloway. Whether he gets his wish, has to deal with a tricky style matchup in Pimblett, or perhaps lands another opponent in the thick of the championship mix, Cormier expects him to rise up the ranks quickly.
“Salahdine Parnasse is the real deal,” Cormier said. “Get excited, because we have a brand new contender at 155, and I believe that his ascent is going to be much faster than most people even believe.”
TOP STORIES
Majors. MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew wonders if a new event format can make fans excited bout the UFC calendar again.
Legend. Boxing Katie Taylor wins at a sold-out Croke Park.
Rematches? Alex Pereira believes he needs to run it back with Ciryl Gane, and Jon Anik suggests that Justin Gaethje could have to fight Ilia Topuria again soon.
Reason. Valentina Shevchenko’s coach explains why the flyweight queen is out of the picture for the foreseeable future.
Deal. Kevin Holland wants fighters to stop complaining about officiating.
VIDEO STEW
UFC Paris post-fight show.
ICYMI.
Cooking (and dieting) with Volk.
Normal Alexa Grasso day.
UFC Paris breakdowns.
Sean O’Malley’s boy.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
On To the Next One. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee figure out what’s next for instant UFC lightweight contender Salahdine Parnasse, and matchmake for the rest of UFC Paris’ big winners.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
RIP Andy Williams.
The best knockouts of the week.
What a fun night!
Fill in the blank.
Accept no substitutes.
Future champ?
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tony Ferguson vs. Kenzo Biyong (boxing); Misfits Boxing, Sept. 26
Natalia Silva (20-5-1) vs. Wang Cong (10-1); UFC 332, Oct. 3
King Green (36-17-1, 1 NC) vs. Esteban Ribovics (16-3); UFC 332, Oct. 3
Khaos Wiliams (16-5) vs. Roberto Soldic (21-4, 1 NC); UFC 332, Oct. 3
Marcus McGhee (11-2) vs. Bernardo Sopaj (14-3); UFC 332, Oct. 3
Vadim Nemkov (20-2, 1 NC) vs. Sergei Bilostenniy (15-4); PFL Dubai, Nov. 14
FEED ME MORE
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FINAL THOUGHTS
Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day (or as we call it in Canada, Labour Day) weekend!
And whether you’re a student preparing to go back to school or having to see the little ones off for another 10 months, there’s only really one thing to say:
EXIT POLL
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