Predicting Fight Night Paris: Hooker v Parnasse

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 9/4/2026

In our FN Nurmagomedov v Yadong Predictions, which you can find here,

Zak went 5-1 in picks with 4 method for 9 points.

Matt went 4-2 in picks with 3 method for 7 points.

Points To Date:

Zak: 170 (114-64)

Matt: 155 (101-71)

*All odds courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 9/3

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Graphic Credit to UFC via UFC.com

10Dan Hooker vs

Salahdine Parnasse

(Parnasse -600)

Zak Drapeau -

Truth be told, I had never heard of Parnasse before this fight was made, and I pride myself on MMA knowledge inside and out of the UFC. When doing my due diligence, Parnasse jumps off the page as an elite Mixed Martial Artist who is only 28 years old and has the best of his career ahead of him.

A great matchup for his UFC debut, Hooker will bring it to the Frenchman and make this fight more like a war. Parnasse has as much technical skill in boxing as he does in grappling, so whether he wants to beat Hooker in his own game or take him down and drown him, this fight is more about whether Parnasse will stop him before the bell or by decision.

Prediction: Parnasse by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

Finally, Dan Hooker is getting an opponent other than an elite grappler. Though this stylistically is a much more favorable fight for Hooker, he is no more than a gatekeeper at this point in his career, which I think shows on Saturday.

Salahdine Parnasse is an animal. He has otherworldly power but is lightning quick for the division. The mix of speed, power, and variety of shots makes him one of the most dangerous guys in his weight class. We'll see how he fares in the UFC, but I have a feeling he is going to make the home crowd happy.

Prediction: Parnasse by Decision

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Fares Ziam vs

Axel Sola

(Ziam -155)

Zak Drapeau -

So Ziam holds an experience advantage, slight size advantage, and probably the grappling advantage too. So obviously I like Sola in this one.

Ziam went toe to toe with #14 ranked Tom Nolan in his last one and proved that he deserves more Top-15 fights in the future, and I have to say that's where I also put Sola, who may only be 2-1 in the UFC but has shown tremendous versatility in his game as well as real power in his hands.

I could even see Ziam taking the first and maybe even second round on the scorecards with technical precision, but I have to go with Sola to bring the violence and get the edge.

Prediction: Sola by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

This has all the makings to be the fight of the night. We all know how dangerous Fares Ziam can be, especially when fighting in front of his native crowd, but do not sleep on the wars Axel Sola has been a part of.

Looking at these two fighters, it will have to be a tale of two tapes for either to get the job done. Though he does have very nice striking, Ziam will likely have to win this fight by controlling Sola on the ground and hunting a submission. He is the more technical fighter, but doesn't possess the kicking power or chin that Sola has.

As for Sola, leg kicks need to be the focal point of this fight. If he can optimize his opportunities to throw those devastating leg kicks, Ziam won't be able to do anything in this fight.

With all that said, I think I am going to go with the France native in Fares Ziam. He never disappoints at home, with enough of a resume for me to believe Sola is beatable.

Prediction: Ziam by Decision

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15Michael Page vs

Nursulton Ruziboev

(Page -160)

Zak Drapeau -

Just a bunch of tall and elite stand-up artists going to work in the middle of the card. Whether this fight plays out like a Ruziboev fight or a Page fight (meaning exciting or boring), I think it's likely we see fireworks to start, but this fight will go to the ground before it's over.

Ruziboev has been adding more wrestling into his game along with a superior boxing background. His length and boxing background should lend well to him getting inside and taking down Page when he wants, which is far easier said than done. Page has always been proficient at keeping his opponents at a distance and kickboxing for points, but something about this one seems different. I think Ruziboev throws him off his game and takes this one with ground control.

Prediction: Ruziboev by Decision

Matt Hylen -

It's crazy to think how Michael Venom Page went from must-see TV to a decision merchant that no one really looks forward to watching anymore. Since his UFC debut, MVP has been far too passive and hesitant, to the point he will not throw anything and just dodge shots until he can land a single-punch counter. In my opinion, he could be a boring fight away from being cut from the UFC.

I think Nursulton Ruziboev is a great opportunity for MVP to remind the world how entertaining he can be. Ruziboev is a great striker with heavy hands and solid kicks, but is not afraid to make fights a brawl. Page needs to stop the showboat antics, be less passive, and take risks in what could be the most pivotal fight of his UFC career.

I am choosing to believe MVP will return to his entertaining form and get the job done in Paris. He has to be aware of the performances he has put on lately, which makes his showboat style look embarrassing. I think he locks in and produces an entertaining fight that ends in a finish.

Prediction: Page by TKO/KO

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Losene Keita vs

Muhammad Naimov

(Keita -400)

Zak Drapeau -

I was really hopeful for Keita's UFC debut in March, but he just ran into a really good fighter in Nathaniel Wood at the wrong time. Facing a guy like Naimov still comes with danger, but everything in Keita's history tells me he very well may walk through him.

Keita is a fast and powerful striker who has been preparing for his first UFC win for almost a year now, and I can't imagine he doesn't come into this fight in the best shape and mindset of his life. I think this fight ends in the 1st round with Keita getting the knockdown and having the ref pulling him off of him.

Prediction: Keita by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

Losene Keita's debut may have been lackluster, but I think he gets right back on track in this fight. Muhammad Naimov is no slouch, but he has been prone to being a victim of some pretty brutal losses. This is a major step down for a guy like Nathaniel Wood for Keita, which gives him a chance to showcase why the UFC signed him in the first place.

When on top of his game, Keita is a beast. I think he is going to absolutely overwhelm Naimov, hunt him down from the center of the octagon, and land a big shot that sends Naimov tumbling to defeat.

Prediction: Keita by TKO/KO

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Mario Pinto vs

Ryan Spann

(Pinto -320)

Zak Drapeau -

This is a crazy matchup between the younger and devastating Pinto versus the older and scrappy Spann. Pinto is younger, bigger, and a huge favorite in this one, and ultimately I'm gonna pick him, but I really think Spann's not getting the credit he deserves. Spann is a much more versatile martial artist and has been around the block in both scraps and wars, and I think the toughness, experience, and his grappling will make this fight a lot closer than some may think.

Pinto showed that he has the capacity to go the distance and keep his power in his last fight versus Felipe Franco, but Spann is much better. There's absolutely a world where Pinto drops him in the 1st round and gasses out trying to finish the fight, only for Spann to get back up and dominate in Rounds 2 and 3. While I can see it happening, the smart money is that Pinto does finish the fight; I'd give it a 60-40 chance.

Prediction: Pinto by TKO

Matt Hylen -

This matchup is the biggest pick 'em fight of the entire card. On one hand, Mario Pinto is a legitimate prospect with loads of power when he decides to throw. Yet, on the other hand, Ryan Spann has looked phenomenal since moving up to Heavyweight and has the severe experience advantage.

The deal breaker for me is what version of Mario Pinto we are going to see. Will we see the version of Pinto who just stood and moved the entire fight against Felipe Franco, or will we see the version of Pinto who can knock opponents out cold, like he did against Jhonata Diniz and Austin Lee? Honestly, I may go with the former in this one.

Ryan Spann looks like a different fighter since moving up. He is a balanced fighter who can submit you on the ground but also knock you out on the feet. He is as solid and well-rounded as they come among the unranked Heavyweights; I think he has a huge chance to humble Pinto and control the fight.

Prediction: Spann by Decision

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Nathaniel Wood vs

Pavel Andrusca

(Wood -300)

Zak Drapeau -

This fight was supposed to be Wood vs. Mairon Santos until Santos pulled out only a week ago. In steps 24-year-old Pavel Andrusca for his UFC debut, whom you haven't heard of, but is one of the most accomplished knockout artists from both UAE and Vendetta fight promotions.

Andrusca, coming in on short notice, has been forced to step into a Featherweight 145-pound fight for the first time in his career. His power advantage that he had for his entire career up to this point will be neutralized, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's shell-shocked by the step up in competition. Nathaniel Wood has been beating the "best of the rest," so to speak, in the Featherweight division, and unless Andrusca really does have power like that and lands a flush one to shock everyone, I can't see how Wood doesn't coast to victory in an elite striking performance.

Even if this does happen, Andrusca will be fine and should shine in the UFC once he has a proper camp and time to get back to his natural 145 pounds.

Prediction: Wood by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This fight is pretty straightforward to me. Why Nathaniel Wood is not getting a top-15 fight at this point is absolutely baffling. Wood has done everything possible to warrant a ranked opponent, especially being ranked himself, yet the UFC will not give him the step up in competition he deserves.

I think Wood dominates this fight the entire way through. Pavel Andrusca is not a bad fighter, but he is coming in on short notice and holds a disadvantage anywhere the fight goes except the power department. Andrusca's time will come, but Wood has faced tougher opponents and beaten them, making me believe this will be no different.

Prediction: Wood by Decision