The UFC is in Paris this week after a phenomenal Shanghai event. Dan "The Hangman" Hooker is headlining for the fourth time in his UFC career, this time against a UFC newcomer, Salahdine Parnasse. The card features several French fighters and some exciting main-card matchups. The fights start at noon EDT, while the main card starts at 3 p.m. EDT on Paramount+.
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UFC Fight Night Picks: Hooker vs. Parnasse Best Bets (2026)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Michael Aljarouj (–125) vs. Fabia Sintes (+105)
The prelims offer a lot of fights with UFC newcomers, and both of these men fit the bill. Michael Aljarouj and Fabia Sintes are both making their debuts, and that should offer value for betting. Aljarouj's nickname is "The Soldier," and he fights out of France, training at Old School Academy in Villecresnes, France.
Aljarouj is 13-3 as a professional, with seven knockouts in the flyweight division. He last lost to Azat Maksum by knockout in 2021. He won six consecutive fights after that loss, before his latest fight, which he lost via unanimous decision but was later overturned to a no contest due to officiating errors.
Sintes is 11-3 as a professional fighting out of Spain. He has won seven consecutive fights, three via submission, and two via knockout. He is very capable on the mat, but it is unlikely he will get advantageous positions.
Aljarouj is a powerful striker, with a lot of strength. He is also a strong wrestler, which bodes well for him in this matchup. He fights well behind his jab and can control where the fight takes place, which is the key. Sintes is a decent striker, but has some flaws. He uses a stance similar to karate, but he also squares up more than he should. Aljarouj can touch his chin and hurt him on the feet.
Bet: Michael Aljarouj (-125)
Michael Venom Page (-166) vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (+140)
Michael Venom Page has had a tremendous career and proved he's one of the better welterweights in the world since transitioning to the UFC. He has been back and forth between middleweight and welterweight over his last three fights, which is not abnormal at this stage in his career. Weight cuts become harder and older fighters feel more comfortable fighting out of their respective divisions.
Nursulton Ruziboev has had a strong start to his UFC career. He is 5-1 since his debut in July 2023. His lone loss came against Joaquin Buckley in Ruziboev's only welterweight bout with the promotion. The weight cut was too much, and he stands 6-foot-5. He has beaten the likes of Brunno Ferreira, Dustin Stoltzfus, and Andrey Pulyaev at middleweight.
Page has had pretty good matchups since entering the UFC. The only fighter to give him problems is Ian Machado Garry, because he used wrestling and clinch work to stop Page's striking attack.
Ruziboev can present similar problems to Page. Ruziboev is a strong, physical, pressure fighter. He can hold Page against the cage and threaten with trips to get top position on the mat. Ruziboev is the worst matchup Page has had in the UFC. He can end this fight on the mat and use his strength to control Page over three rounds.
Bet: Nursulton Ruziboev (+140)
