Streaking UFC lightweight Fares Ziam came into his fight at UFC Riyadh against Mike Davis hoping a ranking is in his future with a victory on Saturday.
Ziam (16-4) was on an impressive 4-fight win streak. Victories over Michal Figlak, Jai Herbert, Claudio Puelles and Matt Frevola got him a date with Davis in Saudi Arabia.
Davis (11-2) was on a streak of his own with wins over Thomas Gifford, Mason Jones, Viacheslav Borschev, and Natan Levy coming into UFC Riyadh.
Round 1 Ziam came out on fire landing on Davis with nasty shots. Davis endured the flurry, and then pulled guard. The rest of the round was more of Davis pulling guard and attempting to find a submission off his back. He ended the round on top.
Round 2 Davis came out aggressive using his strikes to get to the clinch, but was unable to get the takedown. Instead Ziam put him on the fence and the two engaged in some cage dancing with reversals.
Davis got Ziam locked into a nasty calf slicer for what felt like forever. It wasn’t just the calf that was in trouble, but the torque to the knee that causes the most damage. Ziam toughed it out, ended the round on top, landing shots on Davis.
Round 3 Ziam went to work with his jab before shooting in and getting a takedown by the cage. Davis, clearly running out of gas, used whatever energy he had to change positions, but Ziam was still moving like he was fresh. Davis tries to find submissions, Ziam blocked him every way, and the fight ended on the ground.
Official Result: Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
