Hooker On UFC Paris Being Biggest Payday Of Career

Dan Hooker says Saturday's UFC Paris main event against Salahdine Parnasse represents the largest purse of his mixed martial arts career.

The lightweight veteran told RMC Sport that the financial package makes stepping in with an unranked opponent an easy choice. "If they pay me this much money to fight the new kids then I'll be fighting the new kids until the day I die," Hooker said, per a report from Bloody Elbow.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse on Ticketmaster →

Hooker's Financial Incentive For UFC Paris Fight

Hooker went further, claiming the payday rivals what he'd expect from a heavyweight superfight. "I'd fight Francis Ngannou for the amount of money they're paying, and they're giving me an opponent who's going to step on the scale the same weight as me? It's the biggest payday of my career for sure."

The 34-year-old New Zealander has spent over a decade on the UFC roster, facing elite competition at both lightweight and featherweight. Hooker has traded leather with Paul Felder, Dustin Poirier, and Islam Makhachev during his tenure. Now he headlines a Paris card against Parnasse, who enters the Octagon with limited name recognition but a chance to break through against a recognized veteran.

🎟️ Get tickets: Buy tickets to UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse on Ticketmaster →

UFC Paris goes down Saturday with Hooker looking to prove his elite days remain ahead rather than behind him.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Dan Hooker claims UFC Paris is the biggest payday of his MMA career