Fares Giam vs. Matt Frevola, UFC Paris Ceremonial Credit: UFC
On Saturday, two emerging lightweights faced off at UFC Paris, with Fares Giam and Matt Frevola looking to further their rise in the division.
Giam (15-4) comes into this match on a three-game winning streak with wins over Michal Firak, Hi Herbert and Claudio Puerez. Adding Frevola to his resume could help him move into ranked play next.
Frevola (11-4-1) had tasted a top-15 ranking, but took a slight step back with a loss to Benoit St. Denis in the UFC Paris headliner. With wins over Drew Dober, Ottman Azaitar and Genaro Valdez, Frevola still had the momentum to move up the rankings.
Perhaps trying to show a different side of himself, the usually patient Ziam entered the main card opener on Saturday with a heavy swing. Frevola, who recently became a father, proved from the start that he came to Paris looking for a fight, getting some decent shots of his own before catching a kick and converting into a takedown just over a minute into the opening round. He showed some swings. Xiam nearly escaped, but the resulting scramble briefly put Frevola on top with a mounted guillotine. Xiam eventually freed himself and went back to chucking a huge right hand. Frevola was soon hurt, and the effects of Xiam’s efforts were visible on her face. Xiam went to the body and the pair tied up along the fence.
Frevola survived the onslaught late in the opening round and came back looking for a takedown in the second round. He pushed Zaiam against the fence and tried to change levels. Ziam proved to be up to the challenge in terms of takedown defense, landing an elbow from the top before breaking. Another brief clinch exchange late in the round was similarly fruitless for Frevola, while Xiam’s stand-up carried him to victory. At the last moment, Frevola went belly-down against the fence and Ziam took the back. Giam went for a rear naked choke, but Frevola slipped out and survived.
Matt Frevola entered the third round almost certainly needing a finish to get the win from UFC Paris. But it was Giam who was in control early in the frame, moving his hands, applying a body lock and pressing his weight onto Frevola, finishing with a trip takedown. Ziam spent valuable time in a slower, tougher third round, then suddenly flipped a switch and turned off Matt Frevola.
Zaiam remained tied to the fence and delivered a standing knee while simultaneously using the clinch to drive Frevola’s head into the fence. Frevola vanished like a flash of light and the referee stepped in to stop what was certainly an unnecessary pursuit. And Fares “Smile Killer” Zaiam scored his signature win.
Official result: Fares Zayam def. Matt Frevola, round 3, 2:59 KO (knee)
