Top free agent double champion declined UFC offer that was ‘between 20-30 times less’ than new KSW deal

Salahdine Parnasse is living his best life as a staple of Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW).

KSW’s Lightweight and Featherweight champion has been about as valuable of an asset as the promotion could ask for. Parnasse, 26, is one of the best fighters outside of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), continually trying to make history as evidenced by his recent attempt at grabbing the Welterweight title in December 2023.

Unfortunately for Parnasse (20-2), he fell short against that division’s champion, Adrian Bartosiński, via a unanimous decision. He’s since rebounded with a stellar title defense of his Lightweight crown when he scored a first round head kick knockout of Valeriu Mircea this past April 2024. To make things sweeter, Parnasse also extended his deal with KSW after a rather disappointing bid from UFC, according to his coach and manager, Stéphane Chaufourier.

“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.”

The future can get even brighter for the French Moroccan, who has plenty more he can achieve after the great experience he’s gained in a short span. Parnasse next looks forward to KSW’s collaborative efforts with RIZIN Fighting Federation. Therefore, a possible champion vs. champion clash against RIZIN Featherweight champion, Chihiro Suzuki, is of interest.

Ultimately, Parnasse just wants to keep taking on the best he can be offered, and make good money in the process.

“I want to fight the best, that’s normal, so I’ll end up facing the best fighters,” Parnasse said. “I’ve never chosen a fight in my life, I’ve always fought to make a living. Basically, I worked as a plumber at the town hall of Aubervilliers, and at the same time, I played sports. I continue in this way except that now I don’t have to continue working and I also do this sport to support myself.

“It’s my personal life,” he continued. “It’s a combat sport, it’s a difficult sport and I was still working at the town hall three years ago when I was trying to find stability. Now if I go back to the UFC, I’ll have to work again (laughs) so… But it’s the truth, it’s a truth. Whereas now I can live fully from my sport and I’m very happy, very happy like that. I’m ready to face any opponent I’m offered.”