Dan Hooker reveals death threats from French fans ahead of UFC Paris

Dan Hooker says he has received a barrage of death threats from French fans since the UFC booked him against Salahdine Parnasse in the main event of UFC Paris on Sept. 5.

Hooker, who faces the highly touted Parnasse in his octagon debut at the Accor Arena, told Submission Radio that the vitriol has shocked him. "The death threats have been outrageous," he said, per MMA Fighting. "Just the French people speaking French telling me I'm going to die and telling me they're going to kill me."

Hooker using hostility as motivation for Parnasse fight

The New Zealand lightweight said the reaction has been far worse than when he fought another French favorite, Benoit Saint Denis, in February at UFC 325 in Sydney. Hooker attributed the difference to the fanbases, suggesting Saint Denis attracted more respectful supporters.

Hooker said he is using the flood of hostile messages as fuel to spoil Parnasse's promotional debut. The UFC is giving the undefeated prospect a rare main event slot for his first fight under contract, a sign the promotion views him as a potential star.

Hooker said he plans to play the villain role and derail those plans. "I'm here to ruin hopes and dreams," he said. "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."

UFC Paris marks Hooker's second straight fight in hostile territory after he stopped Saint Denis in the second round earlier this year. The Sept. 5 card will be the promotion's third event in France since 2022.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Dan Hooker reveals he’s been receiving ‘outrageous’ death threats after booking Salahdine Parnasse fight