Two rising lightweights met at UFC Paris as Fares Ziam and Matt Frevola looked to continue their climb in the division on Saturday.
Ziam (15-4) came into the fight on a three fight win streak with victories over Michal Figlak, Jai Herbert and Claudio Puelles. Adding Frevola to his resume could shoot him into a ranked fight next.
Frevola (11-4-1) had tasted a top 15 ranking, but a loss against UFC Paris headliner Benoit Saint Denis set him back a bit. With wins over Drew Dober, Ottman Azaitar and Genaro Valdez, Frevola still had enough steam left to make a run at the rankings.
Perhaps trying to show a different side of himself, the normally patient Ziam came out swinging heavy to start Saturday’s main card opener. Frevola, recently a new dad, proved he had come to Paris for a fight in the early going, taking some decent swings of his own before catching a kick and converting it into a takedown just over a minute into the opening round. While Ziam nearly escaped, a resulting scramble saw Frevola end up on top with a mounted guillotine briefly in play. Ziam would finally free himself, and go back to chucking massive right hands. Soon, Frevola was hurt, his face showing the effects of Ziam’s efforts. Ziam went to the body, with the pair then tying up alongside the fence.
Frevola would survive that late-opening round onslaught, and came out in round two seeking another takedown. He put Ziam against the fence, looking to change levels; Ziam proved up to the challenge in terms of takedown defense, and added an elbow over the top before they broke. Another, shorter clinching exchange later in the round would be similarly less than fruitful for Frevola, while Ziam’s stand-up had him winning the fight. In the final minute, it was Ziam taking the back with Frevola going belly down next to the fence. Ziam went after a rear-naked choke, only for Frevola to pull free and survive.
Matt Frevola entered round three almost certainly in need of a finish to come away from UFC Paris with a victory. It was Ziam controlling early in the frame, however, working hands, then putting on a body lock, pressing his weight on Frevola and finally landing a trip takedown. Ziam would eat precious minutes in a slower, more grinding third round, before suddenly flipping a switch – and turning Matt Frevola off.
Still tied up against the fence, Ziam launched a standing knee while at the same time using the clinch to drive Frevola’s head down into it. Frevola was out like a light, with the ref coming in to put a stop to follow-up strikes that certainly weren’t required. And with that, Fares “Smile Killer” Ziam had a signature win.
Official Result: Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola by KO (knee), Round 3, 2:59
