Leg lock specialist Claudio Puelles failed to bounce back against French striker Farès Ziam after a poor previous performance against Dan Hooker at Saturday’s UFC Mexico City.
Peru’s Puelles had earned attention with his five-fight winning streak from 2018 to 2022 before running into Hooker, including three by kneebar, his signature sub. However, he looked completely lost on the feet and did not want to engage with Dan, making many fans turn against him. In contrast, Ziam has never been the most popular fighter but has quietly built a respectable 4-2 UFC record. His point kickboxing style made the style matchup quite binary on paper. It turned out that way in practice, too, as ____ won the fight in his realm.
Puelles went for a takedown instantly when the fight started and got on top in Ziam’s butterfly guard. Ziam scooted to the fence to stand up but Puelles lifted and slammed him right back down. Again Farès stood with the help of the fence; this time he escaped to distance and ripped a body shot. A hard jab from Ziam dropped Claudio; he went for ground and pound at first but then beckoned Puelles back to the feet. Puelles then had a nice punch-into-takedown sequence and got on top again. He hunted for a Kimura and then a leg lock on Ziam as the round drew to a close, but to no avail.
Round two saw Ziam reverse an early takedown and get into top half-guard, though he got back to his feet at the earliest chance. Farès landed two good knees to the head after that but got taken down by a telegraphed shot from Puelles. Ziam got back to his feet. When Claudio jumped on his back into an awkward rear-naked choke, Ziam defended the attempt by shaking the grappler off his back until Farès ended up on top in full guard. He finished the round strong with ground and pound.
Claudio clinched up to start the final round but Ziam reversed him and landed clinch knees. Puelles managed to get back on the outside and land a double leg. However, Ziam went for a guillotine which he was able to use to get on top and then back to his feet. Still, Puelles persisted and landed another takedown, his sixth of the fight. From full guard he was unable to do damage and Ziam created a scramble which ended up with the Frenchman on top. The fight ended soon after that.
When the scorecards were read, Fares Ziam got the expected nod, though one judged dissented and gave Puelles two rounds.
Official Result: Fares Ziam def. Claudio Puelles by Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
