Fares Ziam

Farès Ziam (born March 21, 1997) is a French professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Born into a Franco-Algerian family in 1997, he was a fan of mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It was a family affair, with everyone involved in combat sports. His father, Taïeb, who was a former pro boxer that hung up his gloves in the 2000s, has of course had something to do with it. His stepfather did Brazilian jiu-jitsu while his two brothers did Muay Thai. At 12, Ziam began practicing combat sports with full contact. At 13, he began doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and MMA once or twice a week. Starting at 14, he did judo, BJJ and kickboxing for three years, he then joined the Ezbiri team in Villeurbanne to do MMA professionally.

Kickboxing career On June 13, 2015, Ziam defeated Tom Pedereno by technical knockout at Sanda Pro Fight Tour #1.

On October 13, 2015, Ziam faced Yazid Boussaha for the vacant ISKA K-1 European 72.5kg title. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On April 8, 2016, Ziam faced Igor Kozak at Fight Night ONE. He won the fight by second round doctor stoppage.

On October 28, 2017, Ziam made his Glory promotional debut at Glory 47 against Mohamed Souane. The fight was declared a draw after three rounds.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Starting his professional MMA career in 2014, Ziam compiled a 10–2 record fighting mostly in the regional European scene, winning the HIT and LFC lightweight championships in the process.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Ziam, as a replacement for Magomed Mustafaev, made his promotional debut against Don Madge on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Ziam lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Ziam faced Jamie Mullarkey at UFC Fight Night 180 on October 18, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ziam faced Luigi Vendramini on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263. He won the fight via majority decision.

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Ziam was scheduled to face Terrance McKinney on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198. However, one of McKinney's cornermen got COVID-19 the day of the bout and it was scrapped. The pairing was rescheduled and eventually took place at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 26, 2022. Ziam lost the bout via first round rear-naked choke.

UFC opted not to renew his contract for a while, but eventually Ziam faced Michal Figlak on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209 as the first bout of his new contract.

Ziam faced Jai Herbert on July 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ziam faced Claudio Puelles on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237. Despite being taken down seven times, Ziam won the bout by split decision after landing more strikes.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Ziam faced Matt Frevola on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243. He won the fight by knockout in the third round after delivering a knee to the face of his opponent. This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.

Ziam faced Mike Davis on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Ziam was scheduled to face Kauê Fernandes on September 6, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 258. However, he withdrew from the bout for personal reasons following the death of his grandmother.

Ziam faced Nazim Sadykhov on December 6, 2025 at UFC 323. He won the fight by technical knockout via punches and elbows in the second round.

Ziam faced Tom Nolan on June 6, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 278. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Ziam is scheduled to face Axel Sola on September 5, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 287.

Personal life Ziam and his wife have a son (born 2024).

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time)

Kickboxing International Sport Kickboxing Association 2015 ISKA K-1 European Light-middleweight (-72.5kg) Champion

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Tom Nolan Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Nazim Sadykhov TKO (elbows and punches) UFC 323

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Mike Davis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Matt Frevola KO (knee) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis

Paris, France Win

Claudio Puelles Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Jai Herbert Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura

London, England Win

Michal Figlak Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

Paris, France Loss

Terrance McKinney Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Luigi Vendramini Decision (majority) UFC 263

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Jamie Mullarkey Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Don Madge Decision (unanimous) UFC 242

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Yassine Belhadj Submission (guillotine choke) European Beatdown 5

La Louvière, Belgium Win

Julio Matos Decision (unanimous) European Beatdown 4

Mons, Belgium Win

Abner Lloveras KO (punch) HIT-FC 5

Zürich, Switzerland Win

Alexey Valivakhin TKO (punches and elbows) World Warriors FC 8

Kyiv, Ukraine Win

Artem Tanshyn TKO (elbows) Road to World Warriors FC 4

Kyiv, Ukraine Loss

Wu Haotian Submission (rear-naked choke) Kunlun Fight MMA 7

Beijing, China Win

Damien Lapilus KO (head kick) Lyon FC 7

Lyon, France Loss

Viskhan Magomadov Submission (rear-naked choke) ACB 46

Olsztyn, Poland Win

Laïd Zerhouni Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Fighting Arena 3

Nîmes, France Win

Jean Dutriaux Submission (arm-triangle choke) 100% Fight 27

Paris, France Win

Dominic Yeo TKO (punches) Westside Fighting Challenge 3

Dornbirn, Austria Win

Guerra Mathias Submission (armbar) Lyon FC 4

Lyon, France

Kickboxing record