Salahdine Parnasse reveals who he wants next in 'dream fight' after storming UFC debut win over Dan Hooker

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Salahdine Parnasse announced himself to the UFC world on Saturday night in Paris. The fighter was making his transition to a new franchise after a long career elsewhere and is already targeting Max Holloway after a maiden triumph.

Parnasse calls out Holloway for 'dream fight' after Hooker victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Parnasse made his UFC bow against Dan Hooker in a lightweight clash at Accor Arena. The 28-year-old had just two defeats to his name in more than 20 fights since turning professional in mixed martial arts and many observers expect big things.

He has spent most of his career so far with KSW, becoming one of their world champions, and in May fought on the Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano card, scoring a technical knockout over Kenneth Cross in the first round.

A first-round TKO was the method of victory again in France, as a liver kick followed by a flurry of blows left Hooker trying to protect himself as he crouched on the ground. The referee soon felt he needed to step in and bring the contest to a close.

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Understandably, the home crowd were delighted for the French-Moroccan to secure a debut win and at the end of his speech he delivered a cry of ”Vive La France!”

Before then, though, he was interviewed by TNT Sports presenter and former UFC fighter Michael Bisping.

Parnasse delivers 'world-class' performance to stop Hooker in round one

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bisping noted that plenty had been expected from Parnasse ahead of his debut and affirmed that it was an impressive opening display.

The Briton asked Parnasse if he had planned for the liver kick as an option to end the fight and he confirmed that he intended, at the very least, to stop the bout early because he already had eight knockouts to his name.

Stopping Hooker made it a sixth consecutive knockout for Parnasse and he reflected on his run of form with little modesty.

”I'm the best fighter in the world,” he celebrated. ”I knew I was going to finish the fight. I finish my fights by KO, so I knew I was going to come in and do exactly that.”

Bisping pressed him on what he wanted next. The lightweight said he wanted one of the top fighters in the division but had one name in particular who came to mind.

He stated: ”I'm ready for the next fight: the top five. My dream fight is Max Holloway.”

While some UFC fighters choose to denigrate their next desired opponent, Parnasse made it clear he had plenty of time for Holloway.

”It’s vision, big respect for Max Holloway,” he continued. ”Thank you so much. I'm ready for the next one.”

Holloway, 34, is a former UFC featherweight champion and regarded as one of the best of all time in that weight class. He is also a former holder of the "BMF" title.

He was last in the ring in July, when he stopped Conor McGregor after the latter's knee injury in Las Vegas.

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