Two quietly streaking lightweights in French “Smile Killer” Fares Ziam and Australia’s Tom Nolan faced off on the UFC Vegas 118 main card at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Ziam had won an impressive six straight, while Nolan had notched for consecutive victories coming into Saturday, when one man’s streak would end.
A fast starting opening round saw both fighters exchanged heavy blows in the pocket before Ziam momentarily took the fight to the ground. Quickly returning to his feet, Nolan was able to land a spinning elbow and a takedown of his own. Ziam was able to regain his composure, reversing Nolan on the ground to return to the cage. The fighters would separate with thirty seconds remaining in highly competitive round.
The second started with a big opening combination by Ziam who seemed to be the faster fighter on the feet. Nolan forced the fight to the clinch and pushed Ziam to the cage, controlling position. Midway through the round Ziam stumbled on a spinning elbow and Nolan was able to gain top position on the ground. Ziam potentially could have been down by two round entering the final five minutes.
Ziam was able to find a well timed takedown to start the third and maintained top position for a few minutes landing solid elbows on top. Transitioning to the back Ziam threatened a rear naked choke before falling off and losing position. Nolan was now on top landing solid ground and pound of his own.
After fifteen minutes it seemed as though Tom Nolan would pick up the biggest win of his career. All three judges scored the contest unanimously for Nolan, who surprised many including the oddsmakers with his excellent performance tonight.
Official Result: Tom Nolan def. Fares Ziam by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
