MMA Match Preview: Fares Ziam (17-4) vs. Kaue Fernandes (10-2)
Venue & Event Details
Event: UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs. Borralho
Bout: Fares Ziam (France) vs. Kauê Fernandes (Brazil) – Lightweight (155 lbs) – 3 Rounds
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Location: Accor Arena, Paris, France
Main Card Start: 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT
Ziam vs. Fernandes Walks: ~4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT
Broadcast:
USA: ESPN+
UK: TNT Sports / discovery+
France: RMC Sport
Injury & Availability Report
Fares Ziam: Bout cancelled prior to event due to a death in the family. He withdrew during fight week.
Kauê Fernandes: No reported injuries; remained on weight and in camp until bout cancellation.
Fighter Profiles & Matchup Breakdown
Fares “Smile Killer” Ziam (17–4) – France
Age: 28
Height/Reach: 6’1” / 75″ reach
Style: Technical kickboxer with strong range management and improving grappling
UFC Record: 6–2
Key Strengths:
Long jab and teep kicks to control distance
Solid defensive wrestling (75% TDD)
Patient, point-fighting style that limits opponent output
Recent Form:
W – Claudio Puelles (UD)
W – Jai Herbert (UD)
W – Michal Figlak (UD)
L – Terrance McKinney (SUB R1)
Tactical Notes: Ziam’s game is built on keeping opponents at the end of his strikes, forcing them to overcommit, and countering. He’s not a high-volume finisher but is difficult to outpoint over three rounds.
Kauê Fernandes (10–2) – Brazil
Age: 30
Height/Reach: 5’9” / 73″ reach
Style: Aggressive Muay Thai striker with knockout power
UFC Record: 1–1
Key Strengths:
Heavy leg kicks and body shots
Willingness to pressure and trade in the pocket
Finishing instinct when opponents are hurt
Recent Form:
W – Chris Duncan (KO R2)
L – Nazim Sadykhov (UD)
W – Felipe Douglas (KO R1, LFA)
Tactical Notes: Fernandes thrives in close-range exchanges and when he can back opponents to the fence. His challenge against Ziam would have been closing distance without eating counters.
Fight History & Context
First Scheduled Meeting: UFC Paris 2025 — cancelled during fight week due to Ziam’s family bereavement.
Pre-Fight Narrative: This was set to be a classic range-control striker (Ziam) vs. pressure power puncher (Fernandes) matchup. Ziam entered on a five-fight win streak, while Fernandes was looking to build momentum after his first UFC victory.
Betting Trends
Ziam: 5 of last 6 wins by decision; undefeated in UFC bouts held in France.
Fernandes: 8 of 10 wins inside the distance; tends to finish early when victorious.
Style Trend: Technical range strikers like Ziam often push overs in 3-round fights, while aggressive punchers like Fernandes skew toward unders when they win.
FIGHT ODDS
Fares Ziam – 340
Kaue Fernandes + 270
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025
