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		<title>What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 118 Losers</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/08/whats-next-ufc-vegas-118-losers/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryson Hester]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:19:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Belal Muhammad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Edmen Shahbazyan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Junior Tafa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Santiago Luna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 278]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=225382</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The UFC visited its Meta APEX facility once again on Saturday. This time, for a 12-fight fight night card, UFC Vegas 118. The card was capped off with an interesting ranked welterweight matchup between the former 170lb UFC champ Belal Muhammad and 2022 Contender Series alum Gabriel Bonfim. In the co-main event, which ended up [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/08/whats-next-ufc-vegas-118-losers/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 118 Losers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The UFC visited its Meta APEX facility once again on Saturday. This time, for a 12-fight fight night card, UFC Vegas 118. The card was capped off with an interesting ranked welterweight matchup between the former 170lb UFC champ Belal Muhammad and 2022 Contender Series alum Gabriel Bonfim. In the co-main event, which ended up capturing Fight of the Night honors, Brendan Allen battered an unranked Edmen Shahbazyan in a fun and action-packed fight. A rare five-fight Fight Night card as this edition of losers highlights a unique group to match up.</p>
<h2>Belal Muhammad</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/gabriel-bonfim-puts-on-masterclass-against-muhammad-calls-out-jdm/" data-wpel-link="internal">(#11) Gabriel Bonfim</a> looked like he was in the matrix on Saturday as he cruised to 50-45 unanimous decision victory over (#5) Belal Muhmamad in the main event. Belal is now riding a three-fight losing streak originating from his unsuccessful title defense against Jack Della Maddalena in May of 2025. The other name in that skid was Ian Machado Gary, who Belal lost to via unanimous decision in November of 2025.</p>
<p>Given the circumstances and the performance from Belal on Saturday, he deserves respect but given he&#8217;s turning 38 years old in just a month, will he ever make it back to title contention? That&#8217;s for Belal to answer.  But a fight that makes a lot of sense right now is letting him take on a name like Shavkat Rakhmonov.</p>
<p>The pair were originally supposed to fight in late 2024 but Belal broke his foot. Instead, Shavkat took on and defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision. Due to injury Shavkat has been on ice since that appearance. He&#8217;s completely slid out of the rankings due to inactivity. Shavkat still has that notoriety at 7-0 in the UFC but needs a way to insert himself back into the division. What better way than matching these guys up to see where both stand? Fight Night main/co-main event where the winner gets a relevant ranking and an eventual path towards the title.</p>
<p><em>Muhammad&#8217;s next fight: Shavkat Rakhmonov</em></p>
<h2>Edmen Shahbazyan</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/brendan-allen-defeats-edmen-shahbazyan-calls-out-sean-strickland-at-ufc-vegas-118/" data-wpel-link="internal">(#4) Brendan Allen</a> logged an entertaining victory against Edmen Shahbazyan in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 118 to position himself closer to a title shot. The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for Shahbazyan that saw him defeating Dylan Budka, Andre Petroski, and Andre Muniz. The 2018 Contender Series alum is now 9-6 with the UFC. Shahbazyan was scheduled for a fight against Jun Yong Park in April, but the bout was cancelled after Park was injured.</p>
<p>That Park fight could be a good backup, but with that performance, Edmen should draw the loser of (#15) Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferriera. That fight goes down on June 27 so the timing would work. Ikram has won two in a row since getting smoked by Robert Whittaker in 2024. He&#8217;s 4-1 in the UFC. And his most recent fight was a victory against Jun Yong Park in October of last year. Ferreira is 6-3 with the UFC and coming off a devastating first round KO at the hands of Gregory Rodrigues. Shahbazyan drawing the loser of this huge fight is an excellent, but dangerous, matchup. Could be on the main card of a Fight Night or the undercard of a PPV. Winner fights a ranked name.</p>
<p>Oh, and <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/03/30/whats-next-ufc-seattle-losers-2/" data-wpel-link="internal">deviating from a previous loser&#8217;s article pick of Israel Adesanya here</a>. It&#8217;s not something completely outside of the realm of possibility, but at the movement, just feels like a little too harsh of matchmaking for Izzy, all things considered. Just doesn&#8217;t work as well right now.</p>
<p><em>Shahbazyan&#8217;s next fight: (#15) Ikram Aliskerov vs Brunno Ferriera loser or Jun Yong Park</em></p>
<h2>Fares Ziam</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/ufc-vegas-118-tom-nolan-snaps-fares-ziams-win-streak-extends-own/" data-wpel-link="internal">Tom Nolan </a>completed the mild upset of Saturday with his unanimous decision victory of (#14) Fares Ziam. The loss snapped a 6-fight win streak for Ziam who now falls to 8-3 with the UFC. Absolutely devastating outcome for Ziam who had finally climbed into the shark infested rankings of the lightweight division.</p>
<p>Ziam&#8217;s next scrap should be against a fighter like MarQuel Mederos. The 2023 Contender Series alum is 3-0-1 within the UFC. MarQuel has defeated Landon Quinones, Austin Hubbard, and Mark Choinski before he fought Chris Padilla to a majority draw in his most recent outing. MarQuel is on the climb and giving him a recently ranked fighter in a guy like Fares Ziam makes perfect sense. On the other side of the coin, Ziam needs to reset, a solid win against a respected fighter, preferably a finish, that&#8217;ll draw him another shot at the rankings. Only thing off here is that MarQuel last fought on April 11, so maybe the timing doesn&#8217;t matchup the greatest. Backup here is Chris Padilla (MarQuel&#8217;s last opponent), who is 4-0-1 but missed weight in his last outing.</p>
<p><em>Ziam&#8217;s next fight: MarQuel Mederos or Chis Padilla</em></p>
<h2>Santiago Luna</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/ufc-vegas-118-bryce-mitchell-locks-up-late-sub-on-santiago-luna/" data-wpel-link="internal">Bryce Mitchell</a> submitted his short notice replacement, Santiago Luna, in the final 10 second of their bout on Saturday. Considering the circumstances, short notice, and his second fight with the UFC, against a high-profile opponent, Luna had a decent showing. It&#8217;s still a bitter pill to swallow for Luna, as that was the first defeat of his professional MMA career. Santiago is now 2-1 with the UFC since being signed in September of 2025.</p>
<p>Good next fight for Luna would be to match him up against John Yannis. John fought on the undercard on Saturday and also lost. Yannis was taking on a tall task in formerly ranked fighter, Marcus McGhee (who was coming off a main event loss to Petr Yan). So, the timing would match up well here. Yannis is 1-2 with the UFC but his losses are to McGhee and Austin Bashi. Very respectable defeats. Excellent fight to make here, offering both guys a litmus test that is more in line with their trajectories.</p>
<p><em>Luna&#8217;s next fight: John Yannis</em></p>
<h2>Junior Tafa</h2>
<p><a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/ufc-vegas-118-iwo-baraniewski-leg-kick-spells-disaster-for-junior-tafa/" data-wpel-link="internal">Iwo Baraniewski</a> stayed undefeated on Saturday with his first-round destruction of Junior Tafa to open the main card of UFC Vegas 118.</p>
<p>Iwo was originally scheduled to take on Billy Elekana who is 3-1 with the UFC. After Billy withdrew, Tafa answered the call. Junior is now 3-6 with the promotion and has lost three of his last four fights. Tafa is in a sticky situation as if he wasnt in such a shallow division, he likely would have already been cut.</p>
<p>Best fight to make here is to rebook one of Junior&#8217;s fights that have been cancelled. A scrap with Ibo Aslan seems like exactly what the doctor ordered in this situation. The pair were originally supposed to fight in September of 2025 before Tafa suffered an injury. Tafa is 1-2 since that fight fell through. Aslan is 0-1 since it was booked. But that loss was also to Iwo Baraniewski. And it was also a first round finish. So, this matchup works great- and considering Ibo is riding a 3-fight losing skid, the loser of this bout will likely be facing the axe.</p>
<p><em>Junior&#8217;s next fight: Ibo Aslan </em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/08/whats-next-ufc-vegas-118-losers/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Vegas 118 Losers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Vegas 118: Tom Nolan Snaps Fares Ziam&#8217;s Win Streak, Extends Own</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/ufc-vegas-118-tom-nolan-snaps-fares-ziams-win-streak-extends-own/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brett Cagle]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 01:37:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tom Nolan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 278]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=225309</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Two quietly streaking lightweights in French &#8220;Smile Killer&#8221; Fares Ziam and Australia&#8217;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&#8217;s streak would end. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/ufc-vegas-118-tom-nolan-snaps-fares-ziams-win-streak-extends-own/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 118: Tom Nolan Snaps Fares Ziam&#8217;s Win Streak, Extends Own</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Two quietly streaking lightweights in French &#8220;Smile Killer&#8221; Fares Ziam and Australia&#8217;s Tom Nolan faced off on the UFC Vegas 118 main card at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday.</p>
<p>Ziam had won an impressive six straight, while Nolan had notched for consecutive victories coming into Saturday, when one man&#8217;s streak would end.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Tom Nolan def. Fares Ziam by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/06/ufc-vegas-118-tom-nolan-snaps-fares-ziams-win-streak-extends-own/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Vegas 118: Tom Nolan Snaps Fares Ziam&#8217;s Win Streak, Extends Own</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fares Ziam: &#8220;I&#8217;m Here to Make My Mark&#8221; at UFC Vegas 118</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/05/fares-ziam-im-here-to-make-my-mark-at-ufc-vegas-118/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Destiny McCubbin&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:26:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Video]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 278]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=225219</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Las Vegas — France&#8217;s &#8220;Smile Killer&#8221; Fares Ziam has quietly put together one of the better runs at lightweight of late, piling up six straight victories ahead of his return at UFC Vegas 118. That includes two stoppages including a Performance of the Night-winning finish of Matt Frevola at UFC Paris in September 2024. Now, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/05/fares-ziam-im-here-to-make-my-mark-at-ufc-vegas-118/" data-wpel-link="internal">Fares Ziam: &#8220;I&#8217;m Here to Make My Mark&#8221; at UFC Vegas 118</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Las Vegas — France&#8217;s &#8220;Smile Killer&#8221; Fares Ziam has quietly put together one of the better runs at lightweight of late, piling up six straight victories ahead of his return at UFC Vegas 118.</p>
<p>That includes two stoppages including a Performance of the Night-winning finish of Matt Frevola at UFC Paris in September 2024.</p>
<p>Now, with all this momentum building, Ziam (18-4) is fighting Tom Nolan this Saturday. An unranked fighter, one with fewer fights and less time served than Ziam itself. Despite the somewhat puzzling matchmaking, Ziam took it all in stride this week.</p>
<p>&#8220;I think everything is about timing, and Tom deserves to fight a ranked opponent also, because he has a lot of a win streak. This division is a little bit like, a lot of people have win streaks, deserve to be at the top,&#8221; Ziam explained on Wednesday, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press. &#8220;My time is going to come, but Saturday I&#8217;m here to make my mark.&#8221;</p>
<p>Australia&#8217;s Nolan does have four straight wins himself, and Ziam knows he&#8217;s no easy out. &#8220;I think he&#8217;s a dangerous fighter because he has good skills in striking. He&#8217;s been a lot of this, I need to be focused on that, but my eyes will be open on Saturday.&#8221;</p>
<p>And while he does have the experience edge, Fares Ziam isn&#8217;t putting too much emphasis on it ahead of Saturday&#8217;s showdown.</p>
<p>&#8220;Sometimes you have a fighter with a lot of experience, and young guys come [in, and are successful]. I have experience, but also I have skills, and I&#8217;m very focused.&#8221;</p>
<p><em>Watch the full UFC Vegas 118 media day appearance by Fares Ziam above</em>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2026/06/05/fares-ziam-im-here-to-make-my-mark-at-ufc-vegas-118/" data-wpel-link="internal">Fares Ziam: &#8220;I&#8217;m Here to Make My Mark&#8221; at UFC Vegas 118</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC 323: Fares Ziam Smashes Nazim Sadykhov with Second Left in Second Round</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/12/06/ufc-323-fares-ziam-smashes-nazim-sadykhov-with-second-left-in-second-round/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 01:30:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nazim Sadykhov]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC 323]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=218384</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;Smile Killer&#8221; Fares Ziam looked to build on an impressive five-fight win streak when he took on Nazim Sadykhov as part of Saturday&#8217;s UFC 323 prelims. Sadykhov was undefeated since arriving in the UFC in 2023 off a Contender Series win the previous year. He&#8217;d posted a record of four wins and a draw inside [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/12/06/ufc-323-fares-ziam-smashes-nazim-sadykhov-with-second-left-in-second-round/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC 323: Fares Ziam Smashes Nazim Sadykhov with Second Left in Second Round</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;Smile Killer&#8221; Fares Ziam looked to build on an impressive five-fight win streak when he took on Nazim Sadykhov as part of Saturday&#8217;s UFC 323 prelims.</p>
<p>Sadykhov was undefeated since arriving in the UFC in 2023 off a Contender Series win the previous year. He&#8217;d posted a record of four wins and a draw inside the octagon leading up to Saturday&#8217;s lightweight fight.</p>
<p>Ziam fired a kick as the pair opened hot; a second kick by Ziam was caught, with Sadykhov driving him to the fence, only for Ziam to reverse. Ziam landed a hammerfist to the thigh as the pair jockeyed for position; Sadykhov threated with a trip even with his back on the fence.</p>
<p>When they eventually did go down, a scramble saw Ziam briefly on top, threatening with a choke. That led to him on the back and Sadykhov scrambling to the fence, on a knee with Ziam behind him. Soon, Ziam had the back, Sadykhov seated in front of him. Hooks went in, and Ziam had just under two minutes to work. The body triangle followed, and Sadykhov answered the phone to keep the rear-naked choke from being applied.</p>
<p>Sadykhov survived the round, but would be looking for a better result in the second frame. Instead, Ziam came out and put the pressure on early, backing Sadykhov up. He stormed back moments later however, with Ziam then firing an uppercut and low kick on his next attack. Sadykhov was working the low kicks as well, in a very back-and-forth first two minutes of round two.</p>
<p>With just over two minutes left in the round, a clinch led to the pair briefly going back to the ground, Ziam arguably having the upper hand. They scrambled right back up, however, ending up in another clinch, this time with Sadykhov pressing Ziam into the fence. A reversal later, and Zian was back in control. He would try kicking Sadykhov&#8217;s leg out from under him, but Sadykhov was a tough nut to crack, or take down. A throw would finally get the job done.</p>
<p>Just when it seemed like the round would close out with Sadykhov back on his feet, Ziam sealed the deal. A pair of crushing elbows smashed into Sadykhov as he worked his way up. He then covered up as Fares Ziam rained down fire in the form of some heavy hands, and rather than let him be saved by the bell, the ref waved the fight off!</p>
<p>That&#8217;s six straight victories for France&#8217;s Ziam, who at age 28 is hot at the right time.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov by TKO (elbows and punches), Round 2, 4:59</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/12/06/ufc-323-fares-ziam-smashes-nazim-sadykhov-with-second-left-in-second-round/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC 323: Fares Ziam Smashes Nazim Sadykhov with Second Left in Second Round</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>Lightweight Star Out of UFC Paris Due to Family Tragedy</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/09/01/lightweight-star-out-of-ufc-paris-due-to-family-tragedy/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Sep 2025 01:20:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 258]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=213891</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The death of UFC lightweight Fares Ziam&#8217;s grandmother has seen him withdraw from UFC Paris this Saturday. Ziam (17-4) had been expected to face Kaue Fernandes at the Fight Night event, in a main card bout. The French star sits on a five-fight win streak that includes victories over Jai Herbert and Matt Frevola, among [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/09/01/lightweight-star-out-of-ufc-paris-due-to-family-tragedy/" data-wpel-link="internal">Lightweight Star Out of UFC Paris Due to Family Tragedy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The death of UFC lightweight Fares Ziam&#8217;s grandmother has seen him withdraw from UFC Paris this Saturday.</p>
<p>Ziam (17-4) had been expected to face Kaue Fernandes at the Fight Night event, in a main card bout. The French star sits on a five-fight win streak that includes victories over Jai Herbert and Matt Frevola, among others. To date, he had fought on (and won at) every single one of the UFC&#8217;s trips to Paris, starting with the promotion&#8217;s debut at the Accor Arena in 2022.</p>
<p>However, Ziam <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DODj_-VihBF/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">took to social media</a> this week to announce his withdrawal from the fight.</p>
<p>&#8220;Following the sudden death of my grandmother, her funeral arrangements in France and abroad, I regret [having] to cancel my participation in UFC Paris on September 6,&#8221; wrote Ziam (auto-translation via Instagram). &#8220;Family is my priority.&#8221;</p>
<p>It remains to be seen if an opponent will be found for Fernandes.</p>
<p>UFC Paris is headlined by Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. The following match-ups feature on the card:</p>
<ul>
<li>Nassourdine Imavov vs. Caio Borralho</li>
<li>Benoît Saint Denis vs. Maurício Ruffy</li>
<li>Bolaji Oki vs. Mason Jones</li>
<li>Modestas Bukauskas vs. Paul Craig</li>
<li>Patrício Pitbull vs. Losene Keita</li>
<li>William Gomis vs. Robert Ruchała</li>
<li>Oumar Sy vs. Brendson Ribeiro</li>
<li>Marcin Tybura vs. Ante Delija</li>
<li>Rhys McKee vs. Axel Sola</li>
<li>Sam Patterson vs. Trey Waters</li>
<li>Brad Tavares vs. Robert Bryczek</li>
<li>Andreas Gustafsson vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov</li>
<li>Shauna Bannon vs. Sam Hughes</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/09/01/lightweight-star-out-of-ufc-paris-due-to-family-tragedy/" data-wpel-link="internal">Lightweight Star Out of UFC Paris Due to Family Tragedy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>What&#8217;s Next: UFC Saudi Arabia Winners</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/03/whats-next-ufc-saudi-arabia-winners-2/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mathis Desjardins]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:19:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michael Page]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nassourdine Imavov]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sergei Pavlovich]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 250]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vinicius Oliveira]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=202246</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The UFC returned to Riyadh for their second ever card in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Last time in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker was able to turn back the clock and fend off a young and hungry rising contender in Ikram Aliskerov. This time, it was Israel Adesanya who had a similar task on his hands, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/03/whats-next-ufc-saudi-arabia-winners-2/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Saudi Arabia Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The UFC returned to Riyadh for their second ever card in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Last time in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker was able to turn back the clock and fend off a young and hungry rising contender in Ikram Aliskerov. This time, it was Israel Adesanya who had a similar task on his hands, though he wasn’t able to overcome his opponent. Let’s take a look at what should be next for the winners on a UFC Saudi Arabia card that had a couple standout performances.</p>
<h2>Nassourdine Imavov</h2>
<p>Imavov earned by far the biggest win of his career, stopping the former champion Adesanya early into round two. The Frenchman came into the <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a> at a young age, but now 28 and having won four consecutive fights against top 10 opposition, he seems to finally be coming into his own. A win of this magnitude would guarantee a title shot just about every time, but the landscape at 185 will probably force Imavov to earn another win before fighting for the belt.</p>
<p>We can pretty much assume that Khamzat Chimaev will draw the winner of the <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/12/07/du-plessis-vs-strickland-zhang-vs-suarez-announced-for-ufc-312/" data-wpel-link="internal">Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland</a> rematch going down this upcoming weekend. If Chimaev can fight in the U.S., then that fight could take place during the summer. If not, then he will most likely have to wait until October again when the UFC goes back to Abu Dhabi. Either way, with Chimaev calling dibs on the next middleweight title shot, Imavov won’t be able to simply sit this one out until he’s next. Maybe his next fight can be on the same card as Chimaev’s title shot and he can serve as an unofficial backup in case someone pulls out.</p>
<p>Robert Whittaker and Anthony Hernandez, should he beat Brendan Allen later this month, are fine options, but the best number 1 contender matchup available for Imavov is Caio Borralho. The Brazilian is undefeated in the UFC, having won all six of his fights and has not lost since his second ever professional fight back in 2015. He’s also the poster boy for Fighting Nerds, a gym with a lot of momentum behind them. It’s the right matchup.</p>
<p><em>Imavov’s next fight: Caio Borralho</em></p>
<h2>Michael Page</h2>
<p>The man they call MVP went up in weight for fun one-off fight against undefeated prospect Shara “Bullet” Magomedov. Undefeated no more is Magomedov after he became victim number 23 on Page’s record. This was a good showing by MVP who needed to bounce back after losing to <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/12/08/ian-machado-garry-sees-silver-lining-in-loss-to-rakhmonov/" data-wpel-link="internal">Ian Machado Garry</a> back in June. He will turn 38 in April, so if he’s going to muster any form of title run, it needed to start on Saturday.</p>
<p>At the post-fight conference, Dana White expressed interest in maybe booking Page against Leon Edwards in England at some point. But for the time being,<a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/01/17/leon-edwards-vs-jack-della-maddalena-headlines-ufc-london/" data-wpel-link="internal"> Edwards is booked in late March against Jack Della Maddalena</a>, so that idea will have to wait. In the meantime, MVP should be calling for Colby Covington. Despite his last couple poor showings, Covington is still a big name ranked inside the top10. A win over him would allow Page to crack the top10 and then maybe set up that Leon Edwards fight that could springboard him to the title.</p>
<p>Time is of the essence for MVP so he needs to target fights that will garner a lot of attention if he’s going to fast track himself to the belt. And Colby Covington can provide that.</p>
<p><em>Page’s next fight: Colby Covington</em></p>
<h2>Sergei Pavlovich</h2>
<p>It wasn’t too long ago that Pavlovich was seen as the next big thing at heavyweight with six consecutive first-round KO wins over names like Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes. However, after losing his last two fights, the Russian badly needed a win against perennial ranked contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik. It wasn’t the most impressive performance nor the most exciting fight, but Pavlovich ultimately got the job done.</p>
<p>Getting his hand raised was the priority and he accomplished that, but the nature of the win won’t do him any favours if he was aiming to get back into the promotion’s good graces. I don’t think he will get a number 1 contender fight after this, nor should he.</p>
<p>There is a fight going down in London next month between Marcin Tybura and undefeated prospect Mick Parkin. Pavlovich can fight the winner of that bout.</p>
<p><em>Pavlovich’s next fight: Tybura/Parkin winner</em></p>
<h2>Vinicius Oliveira</h2>
<p>Fans have been wondering for years who would win between Nurmagomedov and Oliveira and we finally got our answer! All kidding aside, this was a solid win for Lok Dog who managed to defeat a high-level opponent despite a rib injury.</p>
<p>There is a cluster of rising contenders on win streaks at bantamweight. Names like Aiemann Zahabi, Marcus McGhee, Montel Jackson, Daniel Marcos, Farid Basharat are all at the tail-end of the rankings or outside of them completely. With this win, Oliveira put himself in that tier of fighters. You can match them up any which way and get a good fight out of it. I ultimately went with Marcus McGhee.</p>
<p><em>Oliveira’s next fight: Marcus McGhee</em></p>
<h2>Fares Ziam</h2>
<p>Not unlike the bantamweight division, lightweight also has a cluster of streaking contenders who are all worthy of fighting ranked opposition. Two of the names in that cluster of fighters were Fares Ziam and Mike Davis. Only one of their four-fight win streaks would be able to get to five, and it was Ziam’s.</p>
<p>Just like his fellow Frenchman Imavov, Ziam came into the UFC at a very young age and after a couple of early stumbles, he now appears to be putting it all together just as he’s about to turn 28. Now riding the third longest win streak in the division, Ziam’s case for a ranked opponent should be undeniable. Jalin Turner, who has lost two of his last three, should have to defend his #13 ranking if he is to stay at 155.</p>
<p><em>Ziam’s next fight: Jalin Turner</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/03/whats-next-ufc-saudi-arabia-winners-2/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Saudi Arabia Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fares Ziam Bloodies Mike Davis To A Decision Victory</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/01/fares-ziam-bloodies-mike-davis-to-a-decision-victory/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Eddie Law]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 01 Feb 2025 17:38:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mike Davis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 250]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=202133</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>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 [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/01/fares-ziam-bloodies-mike-davis-to-a-decision-victory/" data-wpel-link="internal">Fares Ziam Bloodies Mike Davis To A Decision Victory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Streaking UFC lightweight Fares Ziam came into his fight at <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/01/31/ufc-saudi-arabia-adesanya-vs-imavov-weigh-in-results/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Riyadh</a> against Mike Davis hoping a ranking is in his future with a victory on Saturday.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/119061-fares-ziam" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Ziam</a> (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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Davis got Ziam locked into a nasty calf slicer for what felt like forever. It wasn&#8217;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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><strong><em>Official Result: Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27&#215;3) </em></strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/01/fares-ziam-bloodies-mike-davis-to-a-decision-victory/" data-wpel-link="internal">Fares Ziam Bloodies Mike Davis To A Decision Victory</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>What&#8217;s Next: UFC Paris Winners</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/30/whats-next-ufc-paris-winners-2/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bryson Hester]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:48:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bryan Battle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Charriere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nassourdine Imavov]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RENATO MOICANO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 243]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[William Gomis]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=195941</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>UFC Paris had an undercard with a couple entertaining subs and a lot of decisions, but the main card featured some real leather throwing. The main event featured a huge lightweight showdown that saw Renato Moicano silencing the hometown crowd and beating up Benoit Saint-Denis on the ground. However in the co-main event, the French [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/30/whats-next-ufc-paris-winners-2/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Paris Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>UFC Paris had an undercard with a couple entertaining subs and a lot of decisions, but the main card featured some real leather throwing. The main event featured a huge lightweight showdown that saw Renato Moicano silencing the hometown crowd and beating up Benoit Saint-Denis on the ground. However in the co-main event, the French reigned supreme as Nassourdine Imavov likely sealed a middleweight title shot with his dominant win over Brendan Allen. Some ascending fighters at UFC Paris are guaranteed to get some big-time matchups in their next bouts.</p>
<h2>Renato Moicano</h2>
<p>Renato Moicano absolutely battered and brutalized his opponent, <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/doctors-stoppage-ends-ufc-paris-main-event-after-two-rounds/" data-wpel-link="internal">Benoit Saint-Denis,</a> in the UFC Paris main event Saturday. Moicano eventually scored a doctor&#8217;s stoppage victory at the conclusion of the second round of the bout.</p>
<p>Renato entered the fight as the #11 ranked lightweight in the UFC while Benoit Saint Denis was ranked at #12. And Moicano is riding a lot of momentum right now as its not only that he&#8217;s on a four-fight win streak but how he&#8217;s winning these fights and how electric they are. And of course, Renato having fun on the mic afterwards. A golden formula.</p>
<p>Dan Hooker would be the ideal next matchup for Renato Moicano. Renato mentioned both Dan and Paddy Pimblett after his fight. But a fight with #5 ranked Dan Hooker makes the most sense for 35-year-old Moicano, who needs to make his move on the belt sooner rather than later.</p>
<p><em>Renato&#8217;s next fight: Dan Hooker</em></p>
<h2>Nassourdine Imavov</h2>
<p>Nassourdine Imavov turned in nearly as dominating of a performance as he could have dreamt of as he out grappled<a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-nassourdine-imavov-brendan-allen/" data-wpel-link="internal"> Brendan Allen</a> on his way to a unanimous decision victory.</p>
<p>Imavov put his #4 ranking in the UFC&#8217;s middleweight division up for grabs as Allen entered the fight ranked at #8. Nassourdine is now on a four-fight unbeaten streak including names like Chris Curtis, <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/06/30/roman-dolidze-ufc-303-ranking/" data-wpel-link="internal">Roman Dolidze</a>, and Jared Cannonier. Imavov&#8217;s next fight should be for the belt with what is going on in the middleweight division. A fight with Dricus makes sense if that is what Imavov wants but a fight with #1 ranked UFC middleweight, Sean Strickland, is also available if Imavov so chooses (Strickland represents his last loss).</p>
<p><em>Nassourdine&#8217;s next fight: Dricus Du Plessis </em></p>
<h2>Wiliam Gomis</h2>
<p>William Gomis extended his winning streak to a perfect four in a row with his split decision victory over <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-joanderson-brito-leaves-it-to-judges-gets-burned-by-william-gomis/" data-wpel-link="internal">Joanderson Brito</a> at UFC Paris. Questionable decision or not, a win is a win. And Gomis got the win.</p>
<p>That victory was massive for Gomis as he has faced three fight cancellations, including one due to weight cutting complications, in the lead up to this bout.</p>
<p>Gomis should fight Chepe Mariscal next. 4-0 vs. 4-0. Gomis has been finding a way to win so a fight with a guy like Chepe makes a lot of sense. Mariscal is scrappy and holds impressive wins over guys like Trevor Peek, Jack Jenkins, Morgan Carriere and most recently Damon Jackson.</p>
<p><em>William&#8217;s next fight: Chepe Mariscal </em></p>
<h2>Bryan Battle</h2>
<p>Bryan Battle walked through his French opposition, <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-bryan-battle-pumps-up-volume-stops-kevin-jousset/" data-wpel-link="internal">Kevin Jousset</a>, at UFC Paris, dispatching him in two rounds with a hail of fists. The stoppage earned Battle a cool 50k. And it should earn him a good boost in the rankings as he 6-1 in the UFC with 1 NC against Ange Loosa in March (which was going his way till a second-round eye poke).</p>
<p>As usual, welterweight is crowded. But as a TUF winner, with mic skills and the capable stand up striking that he has, a solid opportunity should be on the horizon for Bryan.</p>
<p>Battle is about another two impressive wins from being ranked in the welterweight division. With that being said, Battle&#8217;s next fight should be against Khaos Williams. Williams has a similar record to Battle as he&#8217;s 6-2 in the UFC. His only losses in the UFC are two tough guys in Michel Pereira and Randy Brown. Plus, Khaos has scary power in his hands. This would be a great test for Battle to see if he&#8217;s ready for that next tier.</p>
<p><em>Bryan&#8217;s next fight: Khaos Williams</em></p>
<h2>Morgan Charriere</h2>
<p>Morgan Charriere put an abrupt stoppage to his fight with<a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-morgan-charriere-brings-about-sudden-end-to-gabriel-mirandas-night/" data-wpel-link="internal"> Gabriel Miranda</a> with his fists on Saturday. It didn&#8217;t even take thirty seconds into the second round.</p>
<p>Win or lose, it doesn&#8217;t seem to matter as Charriere has looked great in the UFC thus far. Full stop. He&#8217;s looked like an incredibly exciting, skilled and explosive fighter. And it&#8217;s shown in Morgan&#8217;s paychecks as he has made 150k extra in bonuses since joining the UFC last September.</p>
<p>Julio Arce would be a good fight for Charriere. Arce is a 10-fight UFC vet that is product of the 2017 season of the Contender Series. Arce has won three of his last five fights including his most recent bout back in March against Herbert Burns. Arce is the fight to make, and he will likely stay at featherweight for his next fight.</p>
<p><em>Morgan&#8217;s next fight: Julio Arce</em></p>
<h2>Fares Ziam</h2>
<p>Fares Ziam steamrolled<a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-delivers-crushing-knee-puts-matt-frevola-out-cold/" data-wpel-link="internal"> Matt Frevolla</a> with a crafty knee from clinch range to stop the fight in the final round of their bout. Ziam is now on a hot streak and has won four fights in a row since his February of 2022 loss to Terrance McKinney. This victory was his first finish on the win streak, and he rightfully earned a performance bonus for his handy work.</p>
<p>In his next fight, Fares Ziam should take on Drakkar Klose. Klose is also riding a four-fight win streak in the <a href="http://ufc.com" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">UFC</a>. He was last in the octagon back in May with a unanimous decision victory over Joaquim Silva. Klose&#8217;s 2023 slam KO of Joe Solecki also has a similar big finish feel to Ziam&#8217;s win over Frevolla.</p>
<p><em>Fares&#8217; next fight: Drakkar Klose</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/30/whats-next-ufc-paris-winners-2/" data-wpel-link="internal">What&#8217;s Next: UFC Paris Winners</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>No FOTN, But Four Performance Bonuses at UFC Paris</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/29/no-fotn-but-four-performance-bonuses-at-ufc-paris/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Sep 2024 14:12:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[MMA News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bryan Battle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Duncan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Morgan Charriere]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Fight Night 243]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=195955</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This year&#8217;s UFC Paris card was a solid spectacle of individual efforts from a number of fighters, and four of those were rewarded when it came time for bonuses to be handed out. Six finishes decorated the Fight Night card (though many of the night&#8217;s prelims did go the distance), including the main event between [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/29/no-fotn-but-four-performance-bonuses-at-ufc-paris/" data-wpel-link="internal">No FOTN, But Four Performance Bonuses at UFC Paris</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This year&#8217;s UFC Paris card was a solid spectacle of individual efforts from a number of fighters, and four of those were rewarded when it came time for bonuses to be handed out.</p>
<p>Six finishes decorated the Fight Night card (though many of the night&#8217;s prelims did go the distance), including the main event between Renato Moicano and Benoit Saint-Denis. That ended early due to a doctor&#8217;s stoppage when BSD was unable to pass a vision check, both eyes swelling shut.</p>
<p>That fight did not earn any bonus money, but main card opener Fares Ziam did, for a brutal knee landed on Matt Frevola that put that &#8220;Steamrolla&#8221; out cold on the canvas. For Ziam, it was a signature win, and a new look, as the lightweight had eschewed his normal, patient fighting style and come out hot right out of the gate.</p>
<p>Also picking up bonus cash at UFC Paris was Morgan Charriere, who in the very next fight put down Gabriel Miranda with a punch. Miranda, who had gone out of position, attempted a weak backhand before Charriere connected with the finishing blow.</p>
<p>It wasn&#8217;t all bonus money and glory for French fighters at UFC Paris, however, as <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2021/08/26/not-fame-money-tuf-29s-bryan-battle-just-cool-badass/" data-wpel-link="internal">TUF 29</a> winner Bryan Battle put away Kevin Jousset to pick up his own Performance of the Night award. The final bonus went to Chris Duncan, for a technical submission finish (guillotine) of Bolaji Oki to kick off the preliminary card.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/29/no-fotn-but-four-performance-bonuses-at-ufc-paris/" data-wpel-link="internal">No FOTN, But Four Performance Bonuses at UFC Paris</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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		<title>UFC Paris: Fares Ziam Delivers Crushing Knee, Puts Matt Frevola Out Cold</title>
		<link>https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-delivers-crushing-knee-puts-matt-frevola-out-cold/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jay Anderson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Sep 2024 19:42:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Results & Recaps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fares Ziam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Frevola]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UFC Paris]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cagesidepress.com/?p=195877</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>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 [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-delivers-crushing-knee-puts-matt-frevola-out-cold/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Paris: Fares Ziam Delivers Crushing Knee, Puts Matt Frevola Out Cold</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Two rising lightweights met at <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/27/ufc-paris-moicano-vs-saint-denis-weigh-in-results/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Paris</a> as Fares Ziam and Matt Frevola looked to continue their climb in the division on Saturday.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/119061-fares-ziam" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Ziam</a> (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.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/83149-matt-frevola" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Frevola</a> (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.</p>
<p>Perhaps trying to show a different side of himself, the normally patient Ziam came out swinging heavy to start Saturday&#8217;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&#8217;s efforts. Ziam went to the body, with the pair then tying up alongside the fence.</p>
<p>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&#8217;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.</p>
<p>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 &#8211; and turning Matt Frevola off.</p>
<p>Still tied up against the fence, Ziam launched a standing knee while at the same time using the clinch to drive Frevola&#8217;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&#8217;t required. And with that, Fares &#8220;Smile Killer&#8221; Ziam had a signature win.</p>
<p><em><strong>Official Result: Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola by KO (knee), Round 3, 2:59</strong></em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-delivers-crushing-knee-puts-matt-frevola-out-cold/" data-wpel-link="internal">UFC Paris: Fares Ziam Delivers Crushing Knee, Puts Matt Frevola Out Cold</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cagesidepress.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Cageside Press</a>.</p>
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