UFC Fight Night heads to the Accor Arena in Paris, France on Saturday the 5th of September, with a lightweight main event between Dan Hooker and Salahdine Parnasse topping the bill. We take a closer look at the Main Event as well as two additional bouts from the Main Card from a betting angle below.
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DAN HOOKER vs SALAHDINE PARNASSE
Lightweight – Main Event:
Dan Hooker enters this main event with a UFC record of 14 wins and 10 losses. The New Zealander is an experienced and durable striker who uses his length effectively, carries considerable power and has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to engage in demanding contests against elite opposition.
He comes into this matchup following consecutive stoppage defeats, having been beaten by Benoit Saint Denis by second round knockout after previously being submitted by Arman Tsarukyan in the second round. Before those setbacks, Hooker earned successive split decision victories over Mateusz Gamrot and Jalin Turner, while he had earlier stopped Claudio Puelles in the second round.
Salahdine Parnasse makes his promotional debut as he steps into the octagon this weekend. The French fighter arrives with experience from outside the organisation where his versatile striking, submission ability and composure across championship rounds helped establish him as a highly regarded prospect.
Parnasse enters the UFC in excellent form after recording five consecutive knockout victories. His latest appearance ended with a first round stoppage of Kenneth Cross after he had previously beaten Marcin Held, Marian Ziołkowski, Wilson Varela and Valeriu Mircea. Notably he has fought in 12 title fights under the KSW organisation while winning 10 and losing just 2.
BETTING – click here to bet
Dan Hooker 6.00
Salahdine Parnasse 1.14
PREDICTION:
Hooker’s UFC experience and ability to remain competitive in difficult fights make him a dangerous opponent, particularly if he can drag Parnasse into the later rounds. However, the New Zealander has absorbed considerable damage throughout his career and enters this contest after being stopped in consecutive appearances. Parnasse is the quicker and more versatile fighter at this stage, with the striking accuracy to punish Hooker while also possessing a strong submission threat if the fight moves to the ground. Fighting in front of his home support should provide the Frenchman with further confidence and I expect him to apply pressure before securing a stoppage victory inside the opening three rounds.
FARES ZIAM vs AXEL SOLA
Lightweight – Co-Main Event:
Fares Ziam comes into this contest with a resume of 8 wins and 3 losses inside the promotion. The French lightweight is a technically disciplined fighter who uses his reach well, limits unnecessary exchanges and has shown that he can control contests through accurate striking and measured decision making.
He enters this matchup after suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Tom Nolan, which ended a six-fight winning streak. Before that setback, Ziam stopped Nazim Sadykhov in the second round after previously defeating Mike Davis by unanimous decision and Matt Frevola by third round knockout.
Axel Sola heads into this bout with a UFC tally of 2 wins and 1 loss. The Frenchman has made an encouraging start inside the promotion, displaying both finishing ability and a dangerous submission game during his opening three appearances.
His latest appearance resulted in a first round submission victory over Ismael Bonfim, allowing him to recover immediately from a unanimous decision defeat to Mason Jones. Sola had previously announced his arrival in the UFC with a third round knockout victory over Rhys McKee and will now attempt to claim the biggest win of his promotional career.
BETTING – click here to bet
Fares Ziam 1.63
Axel Sola 2.35
PREDICTION:
Ziam should hold an advantage due to him being able to effectively use his range to score without becoming involved in reckless exchanges. Sola is dangerous on the ground and his recent submission victory showed that he can dominate an opponent whenever a grappling opportunity becomes available. However, Ziam has generally been difficult to control and should be capable of keeping the majority of the fight at his preferred distance. I expect Ziam to manage the tempo, land the cleaner strikes and return to winning ways through a close decision victory.
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MICHAEL PAGE vs NURSULTON RUZIBOEV
Middleweight – Main Card Bout:
Michael Page enters this bout with 5 fights behind him in the UFC of which he has won 4 and lost 1. The experienced British striker is known for his unusual movement, exceptional speed and ability to attack from angles that are difficult for opponents to anticipate as seen during his run under the Bellator institution.
Page heads into this matchup riding a three-fight winning run after earning unanimous decision victories over Sam Patterson, Jared Cannonier and Shara Magomedov. His only UFC defeat came by unanimous decision against Ian Machado Garry, while he had previously defeated Kevin Holland by the same method in his promotional debut.
Nursulton Ruziboev comes into the contest with a record of 5 wins and 1 loss inside the organisation. The Uzbek fighter presents a significant physical threat through his length, knockout power and submission ability, with four of his five UFC victories coming inside the distance.
His latest appearance ended in a first round submission victory over Andrey Pulyaev after he had previously defeated Dustin Stoltzfus by unanimous decision and stopped Eric McConico in the second round. Ruziboev’s only UFC defeat came by unanimous decision against Joaquin Buckley, while earlier first round finishes over Sedriques Dumas and Brunno Ferreira demonstrated his ability to end fights quickly.
BETTING – click here to bet
Michael Page 1.56
Nursulton Ruziboev 2.50
PREDICTION:
Ruziboev’s size and finishing ability make him particularly dangerous during the early exchanges, while his submission threat means Page cannot afford to become careless if the fight reaches the ground. Page’s movement and distance management should make it difficult for the Uzbek fighter to establish a consistent rhythm. The British striker has won his last three UFC appearances by decision and has shown that he can remain disciplined against dangerous opposition. I expect Page to avoid extended grappling exchanges, score with quick attacks from range and secure another unanimous decision victory.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Dan Hooker vs Salahdine Parnasse
Parnasse by Knockout at 1.91
Farés Ziam vs Axel Sola
Farés Ziam by Decision at 2.90
Michael Page vs Nursulton Ruziboev
Michael Page by Decision at 2.40
The Treble of all 3 of my bets landing works out to 13.29
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
