Farès Ziam

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.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-06|title=Interview Fares Ziam : mon 1er combat à l'UFC {{!}} Arts Martiaux Mixtes|url=https://www.actumma.com/interview-fares-ziam-mon-1er-combat-a-lufc/17206|access-date=2021-06-11|website=ActuMMA|language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web|last=Younsi|first=Djamel|date=2020-01-17|title=Farès Ziam, Smile Killer du MMA|url=https://www.expressions-venissieux.fr/2020-01-17-fares-ziam-smile-killer-du-mma/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Expressions|language=fr-FR}}

On June 13, 2015, Ziam defeated Tom Pedereno by technical knockout at Sanda Pro Fight Tour #1.{{cite web |title=Le Sanda Pro Fight Tour, un superbe spectacle très impressionnant à Tarare |url=https://www.leprogres.fr/rhone/2015/06/14/le-sanda-pro-fight-tour-un-superbe-spectacle-tres-impressionnant-a-tarare |website=leprogres.fr |access-date=12 November 2024}}

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.{{cite web |last1=Lottier |first1=Jean-Paul |title=Kick Boxing à Calvi : La ceinture mondiale pour le Français Tristan Benard |url=https://www.corsenetinfos.corsica/Kick-Boxing-a-Calvi-La-ceinture-mondiale-pour-le-Francais-Tristan-Benard_a17493.html |website=corsenetinfos.corsica |access-date=12 November 2024}}

On April 8, 2016, Ziam faced Igor Kozak at Fight Night ONE. He won the fight by second round doctor stoppage.{{cite web |title=Fight Night One 4 : les résultats |url=https://infos378.rssing.com/chan-18132182/all_p91.html |website=infos378.rssing.com |access-date=12 November 2024}}

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.{{cite web |title=GLORY 47 – LYON – DOUMBE prend sa revanche, EZBIRI prend le tournoi ! |url=https://boxemag.com/glory/glory-47-lyon-direct-live-stream-et-resultats-des-combats/ |website=boxemag.com |access-date=12 November 2024}}

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.{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Fares|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fares-Ziam-184241|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Sherdog}}

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.{{Cite web|date=2019-08-22|title=Magomed Mustafaev out, Don Madge now meets Fares Ziam at UFC 242|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/08/magomed-mustafaev-out-don-madge-meets-fares-ziam-ufc-242|access-date=2019-11-29|website=MMA Junkie|language=en}} Ziam lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Fortune|first=Ryan|date=September 7, 2019|title=UFC 242 Results: Don Madge Grinds to Decision Victory Against Fares Ziam|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/09/07/ufc-242-results-don-madge-fares-ziam/}}

Ziam faced Jamie Mullarkey at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie on October 18, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/09/jamie-mullarkey-vs-fares-ziam-joins-ufcs-oct-17-lineup|title=Jamie Mullarkey vs. Fares Ziam joins UFC's Oct. 17 lineup|date=September 24, 2020|work=MMAjunkie.com|author=Farah Hannoun}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite web|last1=Staff|first1=FNA|title=Jim Crute KO's Modestas Bakauskas; Mullarkey edged by decision at UFC Fight Night 180 – Fight News Australia|url=https://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/jim-crute-kos-modestas-bakauskas-mullarkey-edged-by-decision-at-ufc-fight-night-180/|access-date=23 March 2021|website=fightnewsaustralia|date=19 October 2020|language=en}}

Ziam faced Luigi Vendramini on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-12|title=Luigi Vendramini vs. Fares Ziam added to UFC 263 on June 12|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/luigi-vendramini-vs-fares-ziam-ufc-263-mma-fight-booking-matchup|access-date=2021-06-11|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} He won the fight via majority decision.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2021-06-12|title=UFC 263 Results: Fares Ziam Survives, Defeats Luigi Vendramini|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/12/ufc-263-results-fares-ziam-survives-defeats-luigi-vendramini/|access-date=2021-06-13|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Ziam was scheduled to face Terrance McKinney on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198.{{Cite web|last=Dorff|first=Marcel|date=2021-08-24|title=BREAKING: Terrance McKinney vs. Fares Ziam toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 20 november|url=https://mmadna.nl/breaking-terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-20-november/|access-date=2024-10-30|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/fares-ziam-learning-on-the-job-lightweight-ufc-mexico-city|title=Fares Ziam: Learning On The Job|date=February 20, 2024|author=E. Spencer Kyte|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}} However, one of McKinney's cornermen got COVID-19 the day of the bout and it was scrapped.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-20|title=Terrance McKinney forced out of UFC Fight Night 198 due to COVID-19 exposure|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/11/ufc-fight-night-198-terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam-canceled-covid-19-exposure|access-date=2021-11-20|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} The pairing was rescheduled and eventually took place at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 26, 2022.{{Cite web|last=Dorff|first=Marcel|date=2021-12-03|title=Terrance McKinney vs. Fares Ziam opnieuw ingepland, ditmaal voor 26 februari|url=https://mmadna.nl/terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam-opnieuw-ingepland-ditmaal-voor-26-februari/|access-date=2024-10-30|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}} Ziam lost the bout via first round rear-naked choke.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-02-26 |title=UFC Vegas 49: Terrance McKinney Secures Another First Round Finish, Submits Fares Ziam |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/02/26/ufc-vegas-49-terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-08-18 |title=Fares Ziam Welcomes Cage Warriors Standout Michal Figlak at UFC Paris |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/08/18/fares-ziam-welcomes-cage-warriors-standout-michal-figlak-ufc-paris/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2022-09-03 |title=UFC Paris: Farès Ziam Hurts Figlak Early, Out Grapples Him To Unanimous Decision |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/09/03/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-vs-michal-figlak/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Ziam faced Jai Herbert on July 22, 2023, at UFC on ESPN+ 82.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-01 |title=Fares Ziam vs Herbert |url= https://boxemag.com/ufc/fares-ziam-vs-jai-herbert-prevu-pour-lufc-london-le-22-juillet/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Boxe Mag |language=FR}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2023-07-22 |title=UFC London: Fares Ziam Beats Jai Herbert In Clinch-Heavy Matchup Between Kickboxers |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/07/22/ufc-london-fares-ziam-beats-jai-herbert-in-clinch-heavy-matchup-between-kickboxers/ |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Ziam faced Claudio Puelles on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237.{{Cite web|date=2024-01-11 |title=Claudio Puelles vs Fares Ziam Reported for UFC Mexico City |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/claudio-puelles-vs-fares-ziam-reported-for-ufc-mexico-city/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} Despite being taken down seven times, Ziam won the bout by split decision after landing more strikes.{{Cite web |last=Dewar|first=Val|date=2024-02-24 |title=UFC Mexico City: Farès Ziam Wins Split Decision Over Claudio Puelles |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/02/24/ufc-mexico-city-fares-ziam-wins-split-decision-over-claudio-puelles/|access-date=2024-02-24|website=www.cagesidepress.com |language=en-US}}

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Ziam faced Matt Frevola on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/07/ufc-fight-night-paris-news-matt-frevola-draws-fares-ziam-lightweight-bout|title=Matt Frevola draws Fares Ziam at UFC Fight Night in Paris|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun and Nolan King|date=2024-07-10|access-date=2024-07-10}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuTHLbXawOw|title= Fares Ziam Considers Frevola A Top-15 Guy Even Without Ranking {{pipe}} UFC Paris|date=September 26, 2024|via=YouTube|author=Cageside Press}} He won the fight by knockout in the third round after delivering a knee to the face of his opponent.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-delivers-crushing-knee-puts-matt-frevola-out-cold/|title=UFC Paris: Fares Ziam Delivers Crushing Knee, Puts Matt Frevola Out Cold|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2024-09-28|access-date=2024-09-28}} This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2024/09/28/ufc-fight-night-paris-results-bonus-winners-and-highlights/|title=UFC Fight Night Paris Results: Bonus Winners And Highlights|publisher=forbes.com|author=Brian Mazique|date=2024-09-28|access-date=2024-09-28}}

Ziam faced Mike Davis on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2024/12/24/24329088/fares-ziam-vs-mike-davis-added-to-ufc-saudi-arabia-fight-night-on-feb-1-2025|title=Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis added to UFC Saudi Arabia 'Fight Night' on Feb. 1, 2025|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Alexander Behunin|date=2023-12-24|access-date=2024-12-24}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/01/fares-ziam-bloodies-mike-davis-to-a-decision-victory/|title=Fares Ziam Bloodies Mike Davis To A Decision Victory|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Eddie Law|date=2025-02-01|access-date=2025-02-01}}

Ziam and his wife have a son (born 2024).{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/main-card-results-highlights-winner-interviews-ufc-paris-moicano-vs-saint-denis|title=Main Card Results {{pipe}} UFC Paris|date=September 28, 2024|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship|author=E. Spencer Kyte}}

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• Performance of the Night (One time) {{small|vs. Matt Frevola}}
• HIT Fighting Championship
• HIT Lightweight Championship (one time)
• Lyon Fighting Championship
• LFC Lightweight Championship (one time)
• MMAjunkie.com
• 2024 September Knockout of the Month vs. Matt Frevola{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/mma-junkies-knockout-of-the-month-for-september-fares-ziam-shuts-off-matt-frevola-with-all-time-knee|title=MMA Junkie's Knockout of the Month for September: Fares Ziam shuts off Matt Frevola with all-time knee|date=September 30, 2024|work=MMAjunkie.com}}

• International Sport Kickboxing Association
• 2015 ISKA K-1 European Light-middleweight (-72.5kg) Champion

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 6

| sub-wins=4

| dec-wins= 7

| ko-losses=

| sub-losses=3

| dec-losses= 1

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|17–4

|Mike Davis

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov

|{{dts|2025|February|1}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|16–4

|Matt Frevola

|KO (knee)

|UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis

|{{dts|2024|September|28}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|2:59

|Paris, France

|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–4

|Claudio Puelles

|Decision (split)

|UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2

|{{dts|2024|February|24}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Mexico City, Mexico

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–4

|Jai Herbert

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura

|{{dts|2023|July|22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|London, England

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–4

|Michal Figlak

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

|{{dts|2022|September|03}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Paris, France

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|12–4

|Terrance McKinney

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green

|{{dts|2022|February|26}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:11

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–3

|Luigi Vendramini

|Decision (majority)

|UFC 263

|{{dts|2021|June|12}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Glendale, Arizona, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–3

|Jamie Mullarkey

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie

|{{dts|2020|October|18}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 10–3

|Don Madge

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 242

|{{dts|2019|September|7}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 10–2

| Yassine Belhadj

| Submission (guillotine choke)

| European Beatdown 5

| {{dts|2019.02.02}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 1:05

| La Louvière, Belgium

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 9–2

|Julio Matos

|Decision (unanimous)

|European Beatdown 4

|{{dts|2018.10.13}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Mons, Belgium

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–2

| Abner Lloveras

|KO (punch)

|HIT-FC 5

|{{dts|2018|March|10}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:24

|Zürich, Switzerland

|{{small|Won the HIT Lightweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–2

| Alexey Valivakhin

| TKO (punches and elbows)

| World Warriors FC 8

| {{dts|2017.09.27}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:01

| Kyiv, Ukraine

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–2

| Artem Tanshyn

| TKO (elbows)

| Road to World Warriors FC 4

| {{dts|2017.04.29}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:18

| Kyiv, Ukraine

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 5–2

| Wu Haotian

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| Kunlun Fight MMA 7

| {{dts|2016|December|15}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:41

| Beijing, China

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–1

| Damien Lapilus

| KO (head kick)

| Lyon FC 7

| {{dts|2016.11.19}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| N/A

| Lyon, France

| {{small|Lightweight debut. Won the Lyon FC Lightweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 4–1

| Viskhan Magomadov

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| ACB 46

| {{dts|2016|September|24}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:58

| Olsztyn, Poland

| {{small|Catchweight (159 lb) bout.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Laïd Zerhouni

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| Gladiator Fighting Arena 3

| {{dts|2016.03.05}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 2:32

| Nîmes, France

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–0

| Jean Dutriaux

| Submission (arm-triangle choke)

| 100% Fight 27

| {{dts|2016.02.04}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:50

| Paris, France

|{{small|Return to Welterweight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Dominic Yeo

| TKO (punches)

| Westside Fighting Challenge 3

| {{dts|2015.11.28}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 4:58

| Dornbirn, Austria

|{{small|Middleweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|1–0

| Guerra Mathias

| Submission (armbar)

| Lyon FC 4

| {{dts|2014.11.22}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|4:12

| Lyon, France

|{{small|Welterweight debut.}}

|-

{{end}}

{{Cite web|title=Fares "Smile Killer" Ziam|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fares-Ziam-184241|access-date=March 20, 2021|work=Sherdog}}

{{Kickboxing record start|norec=y|title=Professional Kickboxing record|record=}}

|- bgcolor="#c5d2ea"

| 2017-10-28 || Draw ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Mohamed Souane || Glory 47: Lyon || Lyon, France || Decision || 3 || 3:00

|- bgcolor="#cfc"

| 2017-05-06 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Yoan Benbedra || Takedown FC 1|| Tarare, France || TKO (retirement) || 3 ||

|- bgcolor="#cfc"

| 2016-04-08 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|UKR}} Igor Kozak || Fight Night 1 || Saint-Étienne, France || TKO (Doctor stoppage) || 2 ||

|- bgcolor="#cfc"

| 2015-10-03 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Yazid Boussaha || Boxe || Calvi, France || Decision (Unanimous) || 5 || 3:00

|-

! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins the vacant ISKA K-1 European 72.5kg title.}}

|- bgcolor="#cfc"

| 2015 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Tom Pedreno || Sanda Pro Fight Tour || Tarare, France || TKO || ||

|-

| colspan=9 | Legend: {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}} {{legend2|White|Notes |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{end}}

• List of male mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

• {{Sherdog|184241}}
• {{UFC|fares-ziam}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ziam, Fares}}

Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:French male mixed martial artists

Category:Lightweight mixed martial artists

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters

Category:French sportspeople of Algerian descent

Category:French practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing judo

Category:French male kickboxers

Category:Lightweight kickboxers

Category:Glory kickboxers

Category:Sportspeople from Vénissieux

Category:21st-century French sportsmen