Fights to Make after UFC Paris: Hooker vs Parnasse

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 9/8/2026

Photo Credits to Jeff Bottari via Zuffa LLC

Salahdine Parnasse vs

6Benoit Saint Denis

Zak Drapeau -

Welcome to the UFC Salahdine Parnasse! We were expecting a lot from the French superstar in his UFC debut and a brutal sub-3 minute knockout of Dan Hooker was exactly what we wanted.

Parnasse debuts in the Lightweight rankings at #9 and should definitely get a fight up in the rankings next. Saint Denis makes a lot of sense as an established guy around the Top-5 who is coming off a bad loss to Paddy and needs a win. It will be good for both of them to compete with someone of a different style as well and for Parnasse, show the world that he is more than just a prolific kickboxer.

Dan Hooker vs

Jalin Turner

Matt Hylen -

Unfortunately, Dan Hooker's fall from grace increased dramatically after a horrific loss to Salahdine Parnasse. I am not seeing that same fire in Hooker's eyes; it is almost as if that drive and the trademark will to win just aren't there anymore. It looked like he knew he was going to lose this fight and just wanted the payday.

With the best of Hooker behind him, why not give him a stylistically fun fight in Jalin Turner? Turner has looked as good as he ever has since coming out of retirement, while also possessing the height and leg reach that Hooker has. I would be extremely interested to see how the distance is managed in this fight considering the build of both Hooker and Turner is similar. This matchup would be another fun striking matchup for Hooker while giving Turner an opportunity to show what he can do with a step up in competition.

Axel Sola vs

Rafael Fiziev

Zak Drapeau -

I knew Axel Sola was special but that knockout of once ranked Fares Ziam put him ON THE MAP. He'll get a Top-15 fight next and as a stand and bang guy, let's put him in the Octagon with someone else that will go to war like Rafael Fiziev.

This fight has Fight Night Main Event written all over it. With Fiziev being very recognized especially in Asia and Sola rocketing within the UFC and hugely popular in France, this would be perfect for an overseas card down the road and possibly even to end the 2026 calendar year.

Fares Ziam vs

Michael Chandler

Matt Hylen -

Oh. My. Gosh.

Well, the Fares Ziam hype train is officially dead for now. After getting brutally knocked out by Axel Sola, Ziam is now in a weird spot in a loaded division. He will definitely need a fight down, but one against a seasoned veteran that can give him a challenge.

There might be nothing left in the tank in terms of Michael Chandler's upward trajectory, but he could be a good name for Ziam to get on the resume. I still think the UFC wants to see Ziam succeed, so a winnable matchup like Chandler is something I can see Ziam getting in his future. Both Chandler and Ziam need a step down, but this could be a great opportunity for Ziam to get back on track.

Michael Page vs

PFL

Zak Drapeau -

Michael Page's contract with the UFC ran out after the win he had last weekend against Ruziboev and the UFC has been pretty clear that they don't want to resign him because of his "style". Which means even though Page is a world class kickboxer and won 4 in a row, he's not exciting enough for them.

So, Page should move on to one of the other promotions like PFL or ONE Championship where even if he's not going for flying knockouts every time, his ability to gameplan and execute his fights will be appreciated.

Daniil Donchenko vs

Neil Magny

Matt Hylen -

It may not have been the finish we were hoping for, but Daniil Donchenko absolutely dominated in Paris. He controlled the center of the octagon, almost got a finish, and showcased how exhausting his pressure is for opponents.

I think a major step up is in the cards for the prospect, so why not give him one of the division's best gatekeepers in Neil Magny. Magny is coming off a good TKO win over Ramiz Brahimaj, but likely will get an opponent looking to scratch the rankings soon. If Donchenko wants to have his "I've arrived" moment in the UFC, who better to do it against than a guy like Neil Magny who is a proven veteran with a bit of gas left in the tank.

Mario Pinto vs

LOSER of 5Cortes Acosta vs 6Blaydes

Zak Drapeau -

Pinto makes his debut in the Heavyweight rankings at #14 and is undefeated in 4 wins so you know he'll get a Top-10 win next. With how the UFC has been rewarding rising Heavyweights lately, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get the LOSER of the upcoming Blaydes v WCA fight this weekend.

The loser of that fight will probably fall to 7 or 8 in the rankings and will be on a 2-fight skid and NEED a prove-it fight. A guy like Pinto is coming for the division and a fight against either of these, proven and skilled fighters, is exactly what he deserves next.

Modestas Bukauskas vs

Muhammad Saidov

Matt Hylen -

Modestas Bukauskas may not be a hot prospect looking for a huge fight next, but he is still deserving of a high-level fight. He put on a clinic against Omar Sy in Paris, showcasing his striking ability and brutal ground and pound. Again, I don't think he is the next big thing, but why not give him a fun fight against Muhammad Saidov.

After a huge TKO win over Dustin Jacoby his last time out, I think Saidov needs one more solid win before really moving up in the Light Heavyweight division. Bukauskas is the perfect matchup; both are great strikers with heavy hands, while needing one more fight before really making a push forward.

Pavel Andrusca vs

Jean Matsumoto

Zak Drapeau -

So imagine this, a 24-year old Romanian gets a call to make his UFC debut on a week's notice in a weight class above where he normally fights against a fighter who is just outside of the Featherweight's Top-15. Then he flies to France to make the weight and game plan a guy like Nathaniel Wood in a little more than 4 days.

Then he outworks and outsmarts him for a Unanimous decision. Andrusca made his mark and officially put himelf on the map in the UFC. I believe his next fight will be back down at Bantamweight and it definitely should be a ranked eliminator with a guy like Matsumoto who needs to prove he can win when facing top guys. This would be a fight I'd be very excited to see and could prove massively important to the future of 135.

Nora Cornolle vs

Jaqueline Cavalcanti

Matt Hylen -

Every fight card has its boring fights; unfortunately for Nora Cornolle, she was just that. Sure, she did win the fight decisively, but there was simply too much clinch work and not enough action for me to think she deserves a major fight up.

Regardless, she is ranked and did win the fight, so I think a matchup against Jaqueline Cavalcanti makes a lot of sense. Cavalcanti needs a step down after her last loss, but both need a chance to really prove why they can be a dangerous opponent. I need to see more action from both these fighters, so why not match them up and see what they can do.

Other Fights to Make

Nursulton Ruziboev vs Jacob Malkoun

Punahele Soriano vs Charles Radtke

Kurtis Campbell vs Morgan Charriere

Trevor Peek vs Hyder Amil

Losene Keita vs Nathaniel Wood

Muhammad Naimov vs Luke Riley

Felipe Lima vs Chepe Mariscal

Ryan Spann vs Anthony Wint

Oumar Sy vs Uran Saybaldiev