Farès Ziam
Updated: 12/20/2025, 9:59:40 PM Wikipedia source
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.
Infobox
Born
(1997-03-21) March 21, 1997 (age 28)Vénissieux, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Other names
Smile Killer
Height
6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight
155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division
Lightweight (2016–present) Welterweight (2014–2016)
Reach
75 in (191 cm)
Fighting out of
Lyon, France
Team
Team Ezbiri (2014–2021) Sanford MMA (2021–present)
Years active
2014–present
Total
22
Wins
18
By knockout
7
By submission
3
By decision
1
Losses
4
Tables
Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
22 matches
By knockout
18 wins
7
4 losses
0
By submission
By submission
22 matches
By submission
18 wins
4
4 losses
3
By decision
By decision
22 matches
By decision
18 wins
7
4 losses
1
| 22 matches | 18 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 3 |
| By decision | 7 | 1 |
· Mixed martial arts record
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
18–4
Opponent
Nazim Sadykhov
Method
TKO (elbows and punches)
Event
UFC 323
Date
December 6, 2025
Round
2
Time
4:59
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
17–4
Opponent
Mike Davis
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov
Date
February 1, 2025
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
16–4
Opponent
Matt Frevola
Method
KO (knee)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis
Date
September 28, 2024
Round
3
Time
2:59
Location
Paris, France
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–4
Opponent
Claudio Puelles
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2
Date
February 24, 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Mexico City, Mexico
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–4
Opponent
Jai Herbert
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura
Date
July 22, 2023
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
London, England
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–4
Opponent
Michal Figlak
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa
Date
September 3, 2022
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Paris, France
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
12–4
Opponent
Terrance McKinney
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green
Date
February 26, 2022
Round
1
Time
2:11
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–3
Opponent
Luigi Vendramini
Method
Decision (majority)
Event
UFC 263
Date
June 12, 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–3
Opponent
Jamie Mullarkey
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie
Date
October 18, 2020
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
10–3
Opponent
Don Madge
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 242
Date
September 7, 2019
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–2
Opponent
Yassine Belhadj
Method
Submission (guillotine choke)
Event
European Beatdown 5
Date
February 2, 2019
Round
3
Time
1:05
Location
La Louvière, Belgium
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–2
Opponent
Julio Matos
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
European Beatdown 4
Date
October 13, 2018
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Mons, Belgium
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–2
Opponent
Abner Lloveras
Method
KO (punch)
Event
HIT-FC 5
Date
March 10, 2018
Round
2
Time
0:24
Location
Zürich, Switzerland
Notes
Won the HIT Lightweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–2
Opponent
Alexey Valivakhin
Method
TKO (punches and elbows)
Event
World Warriors FC 8
Date
September 27, 2017
Round
1
Time
3:01
Location
Kyiv, Ukraine
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–2
Opponent
Artem Tanshyn
Method
TKO (elbows)
Event
Road to World Warriors FC 4
Date
April 29, 2017
Round
1
Time
3:18
Location
Kyiv, Ukraine
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
5–2
Opponent
Wu Haotian
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Kunlun Fight MMA 7
Date
December 15, 2016
Round
1
Time
3:41
Location
Beijing, China
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–1
Opponent
Damien Lapilus
Method
KO (head kick)
Event
Lyon FC 7
Date
November 19, 2016
Round
1
Time
N/A
Location
Lyon, France
Notes
Lightweight debut. Won the Lyon FC Lightweight Championship.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
4–1
Opponent
Viskhan Magomadov
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
ACB 46
Date
September 24, 2016
Round
1
Time
3:58
Location
Olsztyn, Poland
Notes
Catchweight (159 lb) bout.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–0
Opponent
Laïd Zerhouni
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
Gladiator Fighting Arena 3
Date
March 5, 2016
Round
3
Time
2:32
Location
Nîmes, France
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
Jean Dutriaux
Method
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Event
100% Fight 27
Date
February 4, 2016
Round
1
Time
1:50
Location
Paris, France
Notes
Return to Welterweight.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Dominic Yeo
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Westside Fighting Challenge 3
Date
November 28, 2015
Round
2
Time
4:58
Location
Dornbirn, Austria
Notes
Middleweight debut.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Guerra Mathias
Method
Submission (armbar)
Event
Lyon FC 4
Date
November 22, 2014
Round
1
Time
4:12
Location
Lyon, France
Notes
Welterweight debut.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 18–4 | Nazim Sadykhov | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC 323 | December 6, 2025 | 2 | 4:59 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–4 | Mike Davis | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov | February 1, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| Win | 16–4 | Matt Frevola | KO (knee) | UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis | September 28, 2024 | 3 | 2:59 | Paris, France | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 15–4 | Claudio Puelles | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 | February 24, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 14–4 | Jai Herbert | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura | July 22, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 13–4 | Michal Figlak | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa | September 3, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Terrance McKinney | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green | February 26, 2022 | 1 | 2:11 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 | Luigi Vendramini | Decision (majority) | UFC 263 | June 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Jamie Mullarkey | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie | October 18, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 10–3 | Don Madge | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 242 | September 7, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 10–2 | Yassine Belhadj | Submission (guillotine choke) | European Beatdown 5 | February 2, 2019 | 3 | 1:05 | La Louvière, Belgium | |
| Win | 9–2 | Julio Matos | Decision (unanimous) | European Beatdown 4 | October 13, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Mons, Belgium | |
| Win | 8–2 | Abner Lloveras | KO (punch) | HIT-FC 5 | March 10, 2018 | 2 | 0:24 | Zürich, Switzerland | Won the HIT Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–2 | Alexey Valivakhin | TKO (punches and elbows) | World Warriors FC 8 | September 27, 2017 | 1 | 3:01 | Kyiv, Ukraine | |
| Win | 6–2 | Artem Tanshyn | TKO (elbows) | Road to World Warriors FC 4 | April 29, 2017 | 1 | 3:18 | Kyiv, Ukraine | |
| Loss | 5–2 | Wu Haotian | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Kunlun Fight MMA 7 | December 15, 2016 | 1 | 3:41 | Beijing, China | |
| Win | 5–1 | Damien Lapilus | KO (head kick) | Lyon FC 7 | November 19, 2016 | 1 | N/A | Lyon, France | Lightweight debut. Won the Lyon FC Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 4–1 | Viskhan Magomadov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ACB 46 | September 24, 2016 | 1 | 3:58 | Olsztyn, Poland | Catchweight (159 lb) bout. |
| Win | 4–0 | Laïd Zerhouni | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Gladiator Fighting Arena 3 | March 5, 2016 | 3 | 2:32 | Nîmes, France | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jean Dutriaux | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 100% Fight 27 | February 4, 2016 | 1 | 1:50 | Paris, France | Return to Welterweight. |
| Win | 2–0 | Dominic Yeo | TKO (punches) | Westside Fighting Challenge 3 | November 28, 2015 | 2 | 4:58 | Dornbirn, Austria | Middleweight debut. |
| Win | 1–0 | Guerra Mathias | Submission (armbar) | Lyon FC 4 | November 22, 2014 | 1 | 4:12 | Lyon, France | Welterweight debut. |
Professional Kickboxing record · Kickboxing record
2017-10-28
2017-10-28
Date
2017-10-28
Result
Draw
Opponent
Mohamed Souane
Event
Glory 47: Lyon
Location
Lyon, France
Method
Decision
Round
3
Time
3:00
2017-05-06
2017-05-06
Date
2017-05-06
Result
Win
Opponent
Yoan Benbedra
Event
Takedown FC 1
Location
Tarare, France
Method
TKO (retirement)
Round
3
2016-04-08
2016-04-08
Date
2016-04-08
Result
Win
Opponent
Igor Kozak
Event
Fight Night 1
Location
Saint-Étienne, France
Method
TKO (Doctor stoppage)
Round
2
2015-10-03
2015-10-03
Date
2015-10-03
Result
Win
Opponent
Yazid Boussaha
Event
Boxe
Location
Calvi, France
Method
Decision (Unanimous)
Round
5
Time
3:00
Wins the vacant ISKA K-1 European 72.5kg title.
Wins the vacant ISKA K-1 European 72.5kg title.
Date
Wins the vacant ISKA K-1 European 72.5kg title.
2015
2015
Date
2015
Result
Win
Opponent
Tom Pedreno
Event
Sanda Pro Fight Tour
Location
Tarare, France
Method
TKO
Legend: .mw- .mw- .mw- Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes
Legend: .mw- .mw- .mw- Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes
Date
Legend: .mw- .mw- .mw- Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
| 2017-10-28 | Draw | Mohamed Souane | Glory 47: Lyon | Lyon, France | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-05-06 | Win | Yoan Benbedra | Takedown FC 1 | Tarare, France | TKO (retirement) | 3 | ||
| 2016-04-08 | Win | Igor Kozak | Fight Night 1 | Saint-Étienne, France | TKO (Doctor stoppage) | 2 | ||
| 2015-10-03 | Win | Yazid Boussaha | Boxe | Calvi, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the vacant ISKA K-1 European 72.5kg title. | ||||||||
| 2015 | Win | Tom Pedreno | Sanda Pro Fight Tour | Tarare, France | TKO | |||
| Legend: .mw- Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
References
- ufcstats.comhttp://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/1e4f273069fb9e85
- Fares Ziam wants Paddy Pimblett at UFC London in Marchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0qxnaJG--k
- www.ufc.comhttps://www.ufc.com/rankings
- ActuMMAhttps://www.actumma.com/interview-fares-ziam-mon-1er-combat-a-lufc/17206
- Expressionshttps://www.expressions-venissieux.fr/2020-01-17-fares-ziam-smile-killer-du-mma/
- leprogres.frhttps://www.leprogres.fr/rhone/2015/06/14/le-sanda-pro-fight-tour-un-superbe-spectacle-tres-impressionnant-a-tarare
- corsenetinfos.corsicahttps://www.corsenetinfos.corsica/Kick-Boxing-a-Calvi-La-ceinture-mondiale-pour-le-Francais-Tristan-Benard_a17493.html
- infos378.rssing.comhttps://infos378.rssing.com/chan-18132182/all_p91.html
- boxemag.comhttps://boxemag.com/glory/glory-47-lyon-direct-live-stream-et-resultats-des-combats/
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fares-Ziam-184241
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/08/magomed-mustafaev-out-don-madge-meets-fares-ziam-ufc-242
- "UFC 242 Results: Don Madge Grinds to Decision Victory Against Fares Ziam"https://cagesidepress.com/2019/09/07/ufc-242-results-don-madge-fares-ziam/
- MMAjunkie.comhttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/09/jamie-mullarkey-vs-fares-ziam-joins-ufcs-oct-17-lineup
- fightnewsaustraliahttps://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/jim-crute-kos-modestas-bakauskas-mullarkey-edged-by-decision-at-ufc-fight-night-180/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/luigi-vendramini-vs-fares-ziam-ufc-263-mma-fight-booking-matchup
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/12/ufc-263-results-fares-ziam-survives-defeats-luigi-vendramini/
- MMA DNAhttps://mmadna.nl/breaking-terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-20-november/
- Ultimate Fighting Championshiphttps://www.ufc.com/news/fares-ziam-learning-on-the-job-lightweight-ufc-mexico-city
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/11/ufc-fight-night-198-terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam-canceled-covid-19-exposure
- MMA DNAhttps://mmadna.nl/terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam-opnieuw-ingepland-ditmaal-voor-26-februari/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/02/26/ufc-vegas-49-terrance-mckinney-vs-fares-ziam/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/08/18/fares-ziam-welcomes-cage-warriors-standout-michal-figlak-ufc-paris/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/09/03/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-vs-michal-figlak/
- Boxe Maghttps://boxemag.com/ufc/fares-ziam-vs-jai-herbert-prevu-pour-lufc-london-le-22-juillet/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2023/07/22/ufc-london-fares-ziam-beats-jai-herbert-in-clinch-heavy-matchup-between-kickboxers/
- www.itnwwe.comhttps://www.itnwwe.com/mma/claudio-puelles-vs-fares-ziam-reported-for-ufc-mexico-city/
- www.cagesidepress.comhttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/02/24/ufc-mexico-city-fares-ziam-wins-split-decision-over-claudio-puelles/
- "Matt Frevola draws Fares Ziam at UFC Fight Night in Paris"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/07/ufc-fight-night-paris-news-matt-frevola-draws-fares-ziam-lightweight-bout
- Fares Ziam Considers Frevola A Top-15 Guy Even Without Ranking | UFC Parishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuTHLbXawOw
- "UFC Paris: Fares Ziam Delivers Crushing Knee, Puts Matt Frevola Out Cold"https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-delivers-crushing-knee-puts-matt-frevola-out-cold/
- "UFC Fight Night Paris Results: Bonus Winners And Highlights"https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2024/09/28/ufc-fight-night-paris-results-bonus-winners-and-highlights/
- "Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis added to UFC Saudi Arabia 'Fight Night' on Feb. 1, 2025"https://www.mmamania.com/2024/12/24/24329088/fares-ziam-vs-mike-davis-added-to-ufc-saudi-arabia-fight-night-on-feb-1-2025
- "Fares Ziam Bloodies Mike Davis To A Decision Victory"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/01/fares-ziam-bloodies-mike-davis-to-a-decision-victory/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/07/10/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-vs-kaue-fernandes-mma-fight-booking-announcement-matchup/84530424007/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/09/01/ufc-paris-fares-ziam-announces-withdrawal-fight-night-grandmother-death-funeral-family-first/85926186007/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/10/13/ufc-323-brandon-moreno-vs-tatsuro-taira-booked/86678735007/
- "UFC 323: Fares Ziam Smashes Nazim Sadykhov with Second Left in Second Round"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/12/06/ufc-323-fares-ziam-smashes-nazim-sadykhov-with-second-left-in-second-round/
- Ultimate Fighting Championshiphttps://www.ufc.com/news/main-card-results-highlights-winner-interviews-ufc-paris-moicano-vs-saint-denis
- MMAjunkie.comhttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/mma-junkies-knockout-of-the-month-for-september-fares-ziam-shuts-off-matt-frevola-with-all-time-knee
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fares-Ziam-184241