It was in Parnasse massively favored opposite the hard-nosed veteran Dan Hooker. Watching footage of Parna’s rise to KSW double gold, it’s evident that “The Lion of Atlas” is a quality athlete with a versatile mixed martial arts (MMA) game. However, there is always the question of how a prospect will handle the increase in athleticism and toughness that comes with the increased level of competition. Look no further than UFC Paris’ Michael Pagewho scored 76 percent before joining the UFC roster.
After six fights, the flamboyant striker has not scored a single knockdown, let alone a finish.
Parnasse, on the contrary, passed this test with flying colours. After feeling the kicks and feints, one clean liver shot sneaked under the elbow and left Hooker in a world of hurt. He could barely stand, making him vulnerable to lightning fast follow-ups.
It’s not every day someone knocks out Hooker in the semis (watch the highlights).
This win pushes Parnasse forward in more ways than one. For many US-based fight fans, this was their first introduction to Parnasse, and what’s not to like? He is explosive, young and charismatic. He already has a French fan base behind him, which helps create a sensation that the athlete is a global star. This feeling then makes it easier to join the procession and make investments.
It also immediately puts Parnasse in title contention. He cried out Max Holloway in his post-fight interview and its recipe for an exciting main event. The only possible outcomes for this match are a high-profile striking battle or some other quick knockout – both of which sound great! If a Hawaiian is otherwise busy, there are plenty of light options available.
Justin Gaethje’s upset wins Ilia Topuria blew the division apart and created many potential paths to the title. Paddy Pimblett, Mauricio Ruffyand Arman Tsarukyan there are young popular candidates to win who could be next with strong performances. Former champion Charles Oliveira remains in the upper echelon of the division as well, and fans haven’t forgotten how quickly he brought out “The Highlight” in 2022.
Put Parna in the cage with those names and it’s instantly a potential title eliminator. He’s already an adrenaline rush in the division, and the future looks bright for both “The Lion of Atlas” and the 155-pound ranks as a whole.