UFC"Smile Killer"Fares Ziam Record: 18-5-0
LightweightRecord18-5-0
Age29
DivisionLightweight · #43
Combat Edge Elo1711
Last fightJun 6 2026
Fares Ziam has a 18-5-0 professional record and is 29 years old in the Lightweight division, representing Kill Cliff FC. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Fares Ziam bio
Personal background
Farès Ziam, nicknamed "Smile Killer," is a French lightweight competing in the UFC with a professional record of 18-5. Born on March 21, 1997, in Vénissieux, in the Lyon metropolitan area, Ziam started in combat sports young, training alongside his brother as a boy and rising through France's regional scene. He built a deep striking base before the cage, holding French kickboxing and ISKA/K-1-style honors, and he also earned a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, giving him a genuinely mixed foundation. At 6'0" with a 75-inch reach, the rangy southpaw has long, sharp striking, and he now sharpens his game in the United States at Kill Cliff FC, training in the same rooms as elite UFC talent.
Path to the UFC
Ziam turned professional in 2015 and stacked finishes on the European circuit, opening his career with a TKO of Dominic Yeo at WSFC 3 and quickly adding submissions and knockouts across French and continental promotions. He claimed regional lightweight titles and tested himself against veterans, the standout being a 2018 knockout of the vastly experienced Abner Lloveras (21-8-1) at HIT Fighting Championship 5. That body of work earned him a UFC contract, and although his debut ended in a unanimous-decision loss to Don Madge at UFC 242 in 2019, Ziam used the setback as a launching point rather than a verdict.
Building in the UFC
Ziam steadied himself with measured, technical performances, outpointing Jamie Mullarkey in 2020 and edging Luigi Vendramini by majority decision in 2021. A first-round submission loss to Terrance McKinney in early 2022 was a wake-up call, and Ziam responded with the best stretch of his career. He decisioned unbeaten prospect Michal Figlak, then strung together wins over Jai Herbert, Claudio Puelles, and a highlight third-round knee knockout of Matt Frevola in 2024. He kept the run alive by decisioning Mike Davis and stopping Nazim Sadykhov with elbows and punches at UFC 323 in December 2025, climbing into the divisional rankings before a 2026 decision loss to Tom Nolan snapped the streak.
Fighting style
Ziam is a long, patient, range-based striker who uses his reach and footwork to control distance and accumulate damage, with finishes split fairly evenly across his career – seven knockouts and four submissions among his 18 wins, against seven decisions. His kickboxing pedigree shows in crisp kicks and well-timed knees, while his jiu-jitsu keeps him competitive in scrambles. The consistent vulnerability has been grappling pressure: all three of his submission losses underline that explosive wrestlers who close the distance can drag him into uncomfortable exchanges, which is exactly the test top contenders will keep posing.
Career highlights
- Long UFC win streak — reeled off six straight victories, capped by a stoppage of Nazim Sadykhov at UFC 323, to break into the lightweight rankings.
- Multi-discipline striker — a French kickboxing champion and BJJ purple belt whose stand-up has produced seven career knockouts.
- Highlight finish over Frevola — ended Matt Frevola with a third-round knee in 2024, his signature UFC knockout.
Career snapshot
Fares Ziam career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1711Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#319
Lightweight#43of 204 active
Peak1728
Last move-17
Opponent quality1671avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1728 Elo after defeating Nazim Sadykhov (2025-12-06)
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Fares Ziam quick answers
What is Fares Ziam's record?
Fares Ziam's professional MMA record is 18-5-0.
How old is Fares Ziam?
Fares Ziam is 29 years old.
What weight class is Fares Ziam?
Fares Ziam fights at Lightweight in UFC.
How tall is Fares Ziam?
Fares Ziam is 6'0" tall with a 75″ reach.
How much does Fares Ziam weigh?
Fares Ziam competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Fares Ziam's Combat Edge Elo?
Fares Ziam's Combat Edge Elo is 1711, with a peak Elo of 1728.
How strong is Fares Ziam's recent opposition?
Fares Ziam's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1671 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Fares Ziam's last fight?
Fares Ziam's latest tracked pro fight was against Tom Nolan at UFC Fight Night on Jun 6 2026.
What is Fares Ziam's recent form?
Fares Ziam's recent tracked pro form is L-W-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Fares Ziam usually win?
Fares Ziam's 18 recorded wins include 7 knockouts, 4 submissions, and 7 decisions, with 61% ending before the final bell.
7Wins by knockout
4Wins by submission
7Wins by decision
0Loss by knockout
3Loss by submission
2Loss by decision
Fares Ziam stats
Record : 18 / 5 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.87Fighter3.07Division average
Significant striking accuracy
53%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
1.53Fighter3.89Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
65%Fighter53%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
1.73Fighter1.59Division average
Takedown accuracy
41%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
71%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.46Fighter0.66Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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