Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective

Farès Ziam

French mixed martial artist (born 1997) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Remove ads

Farès Ziam (born March 21, 1997) is a French professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of December 9, 2025, he is #15 in the UFC lightweight rankings.[3]

Quick facts Born, Other names ...
Remove ads

Background

Born into a Franco-Algerian family in 1997, he was a fan of mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It was a family affair, with everyone involved in combat sports. His father, Taïeb, who was a former pro boxer that hung up his gloves in the 2000s, has of course had something to do with it. His stepfather did Brazilian jiu-jitsu while his two brothers did Muay Thai. At 12, Ziam began practising combat sports with full contact. At 13, he began doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and MMA once or twice a week. Starting at 14, he did judo, BJJ and kickboxing for three years, he then joined the Ezbiri team in Villeurbanne to do MMA professionally.[4][5]

Remove ads

Kickboxing career

On June 13, 2015, Ziam defeated Tom Pedereno by technical knockout at Sanda Pro Fight Tour #1.[6]

On October 13, 2015, Ziam faced Yazid Boussaha for the vacant ISKA K-1 European 72.5kg title. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[7]

On April 8, 2016, Ziam faced Igor Kozak at Fight Night ONE. He won the fight by second round doctor stoppage.[8]

On October 28, 2017, Ziam made his Glory promotional debut at Glory 47 against Mohamed Souane. The fight was declared a draw after three rounds.[9]

Remove ads

Mixed martial arts career

Summarize
Perspective

Early career

Starting his professional MMA career in 2014, Ziam compiled a 10–2 record fighting mostly in the regional European scene, winning the HIT and LFC lightweight championships in the process.[10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ziam, as a replacement for Magomed Mustafaev, made his promotional debut against Don Madge on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[11] Ziam lost the fight by unanimous decision.[12]

Ziam faced Jamie Mullarkey at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie on October 18, 2020.[13] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[14]

Ziam faced Luigi Vendramini on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263.[15] He won the fight via majority decision.[16]

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Ziam was scheduled to face Terrance McKinney on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198.[17][18] However, one of McKinney's cornermen got COVID-19 the day of the bout and it was scrapped.[19] The pairing was rescheduled and eventually took place at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 26, 2022.[20] Ziam lost the bout via first round rear-naked choke.[21]

UFC opted not to renew his contract for a while, but eventually Ziam faced Michal Figlak on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209 as the first bout of his new contract.[22][18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Ziam faced Jai Herbert on July 22, 2023, at UFC on ESPN+ 82.[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]

Ziam faced Claudio Puelles on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237.[26] Despite being taken down seven times, Ziam won the bout by split decision after landing more strikes.[27]

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Ziam faced Matt Frevola on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243.[28][29] He won the fight by knockout in the third round after delivering a knee to the face of his opponent.[30] This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[31]

Ziam faced Mike Davis on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250.[32] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[33]

Ziam was scheduled to face Kauê Fernandes on September 6, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 258.[34] However, he withdrew from the bout for personal reasons following the death of his grandmother.[35]

Ziam faced Nazim Sadykhov on December 6, 2025 at UFC 323.[36] He won the fight by technical knockout via punches and elbows in the second round.[37]

Remove ads

Personal life

Ziam and his wife have a son (born 2024).[38]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Kickboxing

Remove ads

Mixed martial arts record

Summarize
Perspective
Professional record breakdown
22 matches 18 wins 4 losses
By knockout 7 0
By submission 4 3
By decision 7 1
More information Res., Record ...

[40]

Remove ads

Kickboxing record

More information Date, Result ...
Remove ads

See also

References

External links

Loading related searches...

Wikiwand - on

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Remove ads
Remove ads