Salahdine Parnasse Triumphs in Historic KSW Paris Event
In a landmark evening for French MMA, Salahdine Parnasse emerged victorious against Wilson Varela in the main event of KSW 101 held at the Paris La Défense Arena on December 20, 2024. This event marked the second time KSW, Europe's leading MMA organization, hosted a show in Paris, drawing an impressive crowd of 18,000 spectators. The atmosphere was electric, especially during the highly anticipated 'clasico' fight between the two rivals, who had transitioned from training partners to fierce competitors.
The fight began with Varela attempting to assert dominance in the cage, but Parnasse quickly turned the tide. Utilizing his reach advantage, Parnasse delivered a powerful left straight that sent Varela to the mat, followed by a relentless barrage of strikes that forced the referee to stop the contest in the second round. Parnasse, who is set to explore English boxing in 2025, expressed gratitude towards Varela post-fight, acknowledging their shared history and the intensity of their rivalry. "It is my belt, and I was not going to let him win it," he stated, emphasizing the significance of the title.
A Night of French Dominance
The KSW 101 card showcased a total of 14 French fighters, highlighting the growing prominence of French MMA on the international stage. In addition to Parnasse's victory, other French competitors also delivered impressive performances. Zakaria "Tarzan" Hamou opened the night with a stunning knockout of Polish fighter Karkula, while Laïd Zerhouni and Nacim Belhouachi also secured first-round victories. The event not only celebrated individual triumphs but also underscored the strength of French fighters in the MMA landscape.
The results of KSW 101 at Paris La Défense Arena were as follows: - Salahdine Parnasse (FRA) defeats Wilson Varela (FRA) by TKO in the second round - Marcin Held (POL) beats Davy Gallon (FRA) by submission in the first round - Laïd Zerhouni (FRA) beats Alain Van de Merckt (BEL) by KO in the first round - Mickael Lebout (FRA) defeats Romain Debienne (FRA) by unanimous decision - Ramzan Jembiev (FRA) defeats El Hadji Ndiaye (FRA) by TKO in the first round - Nacim Belhouachi (FRA) defeats Damien Peltier (FRA) by TKO in the first round - Amaury Wako-Zabo (FRA) beats Maciej Rebacz (POL) by TKO in the second round - Zakaria Hamou (FRA) defeats Andrzej Karkula (POL) by TKO in the first round.
