Just when it looked like France’s Fares Ziam was on his way to a decisive decision victory, he put…
Just when it looked like France’s Fares Ziam was on his way to a decisive decision victory, he put Matt Frevola’s lights out with a perfectly placed knee in the UFC Paris main card opener.
Riding a three-fight win streak, ‘Smile Killer’ was in the middle of a dominant performance against Frevola at Accor Arena and was well en route to a sweep on the scores. As we approached the three-minute mark of the third round, Ziam had Frevola’s back against the fence.
As ‘The Steamrolla’ attempted to turn himself to go belly-to-belly, Ziam launched a knee that caught Frevola flush on the chin and sent him crashing to the canvas.
With Frevola out on impact, the referee quickly stepped in and called for the stoppage.
Official Result: Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola via KO (knee) at 2:59 of Round 3.
Check out highlights from Fares Ziam vs. matt frevola at UFC Paris:
LE PREMIER FINISH DE FARES ZIAM EST MAGNIFIQUE @ZiamFares s'impose par KO au troisième round
There were some huge highlights from the UFC’s return to Paris this past weekend but none caught the eye as much as the main card opener. Fares Ziam has continued to improve during his time on the roster but on home soil, he secured his biggest win and highlight to date. The French fighter was […]
Fares Ziam has continued to improve during his time on the roster but on home soil, he secured his biggest win and highlight to date.
The French fighter was dominant against Matt Frevola but sealed his fourth consecutive win in the lightweight division with a devastating knee.
Frevola knew that he needed to try and make something big happen to turn the fight around and as a result, was knocked out inside the Accor Arena.
Daniel Cormier Says He Would Prefer What Happened To Matt Frevola Over Decision Verdict
In their recap of the weekend’s action, Daniel Cormier had a bold take on this fight during the latest episode of ESPN MMA’s Good Guy / Bad Guy with Chael Sonnen.
“DC” made a point to say that he likes when corners are honest with their fighters about how the fight is going, which is a fair observation to make regarding this bout.
“Every time a guy’s losing two rounds to zero Chael and sometimes the coach goes, ‘Oh it might be one-to-one, it’s very close.’ And then there’s the other coach that goes, ‘You’re down two, we got to finish this guy.’ And I’m like, that’s the coach I love. I love that he tells his guy the truth.”
However, where some people may disagree with Cormier’s approach is him stating that he would prefer what happened in this fight over Frevola losing the third round and therefore the decision.
“I prefer what happened to Frevola than him going out there and just losing by decision and really not showing no oomph.”
Of course, showing desire to go out there and pull off the win is important but that also can lead to significant damage, like what happened with Frevola.
He did try to go out there and make a big impact in the third and final round but as a result, he was knocked out cold rather than being on the wrong end of a decision.
“Leaves openings, that happens, it is what it is, people get knocked out but you give yourself an opportunity because we have seen on so many different occasions where the guy overcomes and wins a third period to win the fight.”
In his native France, Farès Ziam pulled off a vicious knockout that seemed to come out of nowhere to score a late victory over Matt Frevola on the main card of UFC Paris. Ziam appeared to show continued improvement over the course of the fight’s first two rounds, seemingly in a comfortable lead as the […]
In his native France, Farès Ziam pulled off a vicious knockout that seemed to come out of nowhere to score a late victory over Matt Frevola on the main card of UFC Paris.
Ziam appeared to show continued improvement over the course of the fight’s first two rounds, seemingly in a comfortable lead as the contest headed into the third.
It was there, however, where Ziam unleashed violence that no one saw coming.
With the two of them against the fence, Ziam turned Frevola and landed a stunning knee to the head that dropped the American out cold to score a KO of the Year contender.
Frevola was unconscious for several minutes after the finish.
Farès Ziam Lands Brutal KO Of The Year Contender With Vicious Knee On Matt Frevola’s Head
Arguably the greatest knee I have ever seen in MMA. WOWOWOW! That was amazing #UFCParis
Count it two UFC victories and now 11 first round finishes for lightweight prospect, Terrance McKinney — who stops Fares Ziam inside the opening two minutes of their UFC Vegas 49 preliminary card bout — courtesy of a taut rear-naked choke. Attempting to land early akin to his stunning June, seven-second knockout win over Matt […]
Count it two UFC victories and now 11 first round finishes for lightweight prospect, Terrance McKinney — who stops Fares Ziam inside the opening two minutes of their UFC Vegas 49 preliminary card bout — courtesy of a taut rear-naked choke.
Attempting to land early akin to his stunning June, seven-second knockout win over Matt Frevola, McKinney rushed forward with a misplaced shot, resulting in a slip and forcing an eventual grappling scramble.
Working his way to side control quite easily, McKinney then gave up half guard as Ziam recovered, before eventually taking the back of his rescheduled foe. And despite a wayward angle to setup a rear-naked choke, the patient McKinney eventually forced the tap from Ziam — scoring his his second UFC victory and second Octagon stoppage.
Below, catch the highlights from Terrance McKinney’s submission victory over Fares Ziam
@ZiamFares s'impose par KO au troisième round
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SCARY KO by Fares Ziam.
Count it two UFC victories and now 11 first round finishes for lightweight prospect, Terrance McKinney — who stops Fares Ziam inside the opening two minutes of their UFC Vegas 49 preliminary card bout — courtesy of a taut rear-naked choke. Attempting to land early akin to his stunning June, seven-second knockout win over Matt […]