Dan Hooker revealed he has been inundated with death threats since it was confirmed he will headline UFC Paris against newcomer Salahdine Parnasse in September. The announcement, made during the UFC Abu Dhabi broadcast, has drawn an aggressive reaction from some supporters of the French-Moroccan prospect.
Death threats cloud UFC Paris build-up
Last week Parnasse appeared to tease his arrival in the UFC following a reported offer that he initially turned down. Shortly afterwards, officials confirmed Hooker would welcome the two-division KSW champion to the Octagon, with the pair set to close out UFC Paris. Hooker told Submission Radio that Parnasse’s fans have threatened his life in messages he described as “outrageous,” saying they told him in French “I’m gonna die” and “I’m gonna kill you.”
Hooker’s recent form and candid admissions
Hooker, 36, has not fought since January, when he suffered a brutal defeat to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 325 in Sydney. A few months later he openly admitted he had “been drinking throughout camp” and acknowledged he had not been taking training seriously after recording back-to-back losses.
Career stakes ahead of the Paris main event
Despite calls for retirement following his second straight defeat, Hooker accepted the challenge of Parnasse’s UFC debut. With three losses on his record since mid-2025, he faces mounting pressure to deliver a win in enemy territory. Hooker says he is determined to put the threats behind him and stop Parnasse’s winning run, hoping to hand the newcomer his first setback since 2023.
As the build-up to UFC Paris intensifies, all eyes will be on Hooker to see how he handles both the hostile reception and the opportunity to reinvigorate his lightweight career on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
FAQ
Why is Dan Hooker receiving death threats?
Hooker revealed on Submission Radio that since it was announced he would headline UFC Paris against Salahdine Parnasse, some of Parnasse’s fans have sent him threatening messages in French, including threats to kill him.
Who is Hooker’s opponent at UFC Paris?
Hooker will face Salahdine Parnasse, a French-Moroccan two-division KSW champion, who is set to make his UFC debut in the main event of UFC Paris this September.
When and where was Hooker’s last fight?
His most recent bout took place at UFC 325 in January in Sydney, where he suffered a TKO loss to Benoit Saint-Denis.
What has Hooker said about his recent performance?
After his second consecutive defeat, Hooker admitted he hadn’t taken his training seriously and had been drinking during camp. He has since expressed a strong desire to return to form ahead of UFC Paris.
