KSW double champion who turned down UFC reportedly set to join Rousey vs Carano Netflix event
Photo by Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images Netflix’s first foray into live mixed martial arts is putting together a lineup that blends established names with rising prospects. The streaming platform steps into MMA in May, headlined by the highly anticipated return of Ronda Rousey as she takes on Gina Carano. Francis Ngannou is also set to make his long-awaited return to MMA on the card, along with Nate Diaz stepping back into competition after more than three years away from fighting.
Reports suggest that one of the sport’s brightest young talents could be added to the card in what would be another solid addition to an already stacked event. KSW dual champion Salahdine Parnasse reportedly added to Netflix MMA card Photo by Melina Pizano/Getty Images for Netflix While there are already some big names lined up for the May 16 event, fans have been asking for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions to showcase a few rising stars. It looks like they’ve delivered on that request with the addition of two-division KSW champion Salahdine Parnasse (22-2).
According to The Scrap, the French fighter is set to take on America’s Kenny Cross (17-4) in a bout that’s likely to draw plenty of interest. The fight hasn’t been officially announced yet, but Cross hinted at it with an Instagram post alongside teammate Merab Dvalishvili during his training camp. Cross responded, “Been waiting.
” The American trains out of Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas alongside Dvalishvili. He won Dana White’s Contender Series and most recently claimed lightweight gold with Tuff-N-Uff. Parnasse has held titles at both 155 and 145 pounds in KSW, one of Europe’s top promotions.
He is riding a five-fight knockout streak heading into his Netflix debut this May. Salahdine Parnasse explains why he passed on UFC offer Parnasse’s reputation as one of the sport’s emerging talents has naturally put him in front of UFC scouts more than once. But like a number of fighters, including Rico Verhoeven who made the switch to boxing, Parnasse found the financial side of the deal lacking.