UFC signs 'Kylian Mbappe of MMA' after Dana White makes unprecedented move

Dana White has made a rare move by handing a newly-signed fighter a main event slot ahead of his first UFC appearance.

French lightweight Salahdine Parnasse has signed with the UFC and will make his promotional debut in the UFC Paris main event against veteran lightweight Dan Hooker on September 5.

Parnasse, 28, is one of the hottest prospects in European MMA and was brought to the attention of a mainstream audience when he defeated Kenneth Cross by first-round knockout on the undercard of Netflix’s Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano.

The 28-year-old, who hails from Aubervilliers, turned professional at just 17 and has competed in several promotions, including KSW, where he became lightweight and welterweight champion, having previously fought in lesser-known promotions such as European Beatdown and 100% Fight.

He also participated in a professional boxing match against Franck Petitjean in 2025, winning by second-round knockout.

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Posting after his signing with the UFC, he wrote: “Today, I am taking the biggest step of my career: I will now fight in the UFC, and I will do so for the first time in the main event in Paris on September 5.

“I don't forget where I come from, I don't forget the path I've travelled. None of this happened by chance: it's the result of work, sacrifices, and above all, your support. I am proud to carry the colours of France, Morocco, and Guadeloupe on the biggest stage of this sport. I didn't get here alone. Thank you to everyone who has followed me from the beginning. I am going to give it my all. We're in this together.”

Parnasse, who began practising mixed martial arts at 11 years old, has previously been dubbed the ‘Kylian Mbappe of MMA’ by French newspaper L'Équipe, having become the youngest fighter to hold two titles concurrently in KSW.

The fighter explained how he was “very flattered” to be compared to the Real Madrid forward but wants people to know his name for his performances in the Octagon.

“I’m very flattered by the Kylian Mbappe tag,” Parnasse told talkSPORT.

“So when they talk about me, they’re talking about the MMA fighter doing amazing things, just as Kylian Mbappe does in football.

“Because Mbappe performs in his sport. I’m Salahdine Parnasse, who performs in his sport.

“But, of course, I want people to know my name, know who Salahdine Parnasse is.

“I want to leave a mark on people’s minds by winning fights and by being a good fighter.

“So when they talk about me, they’re talking about the MMA fighter doing amazing things, just as Kylian Mbappe does in football.”

Why did Parnasse take so long to sign for the UFC?

The UFC have been monitoring the Frenchman's performances for some time. However, back in 2024, his manager, Stéphane Chaufourier, revealed the reason behind his stay at KSW was because the UFC paid “between 20 and 30 times” less than the Polish promotion.

“The seesaw is huge,” Chaufourier told RMC Sport. “You should know that I won’t give figures, but we had very, very good proposals. We earn two and a half times what we used to earn. So it’s just huge. It’s largely in the six figures, yes, of course. The UFC was between 20 and 30 times less.”