Matt Frevola and Fares Ziam meet Saturday on the main card opener of UFC Fight Night 243 at Accor Arena in Paris. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
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Matt Frevola vs. Fares Ziam UFC Paris preview
Frevola (11-4-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) enters his first fight since headliner Benoit Saint Denis snapped his three-fight winning streak. Prior to the setback, Frevola stopped three straight opponents. Genaro Valdez, Ottman Azaitar and Drew Dober failed to make it out of the first round against “The Steamrolla.” … Ziam (15-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) will look to keep his momentum going as a winner of three straight fights. The Frenchman picked up consecutive decision wins over Michal Figlak, Jai Herbert and Claudio Puelles.
Matt Frevola vs. Fares ZiamUFC Paris expert pick, prediction
Kicking off the main card is a proper action fight at 155 pounds between Ziam and Frevola.
For those familiar with my card formatting critiques, there’s nothing I love more than action-fighting lightweights to kick off the festivities on the main broadcast.
Although Ziam can be stereotyped as more of a ‘point-fighting’ competitor, I believe that Frevola’s aggression will bring out the best in the Frenchman. That said, I find myself leaning toward the American in this spot.
Unless Ziam can turn himself into a one-punch knockout artist, I suspect that Frevola will eventually be able to close in on the French fighter and take this fight to the floor (where the biggest on-paper disparity exists).
It’s hard to bet against Ray Longo fighters, so I’ll take “The Steamrolla” to snatch up a submission by Round 2.
Matt Frevola vs. Fares ZiamUFC Paris odds
Despite the oddsmakers opening the American as the favorite, public money has come in on the French fighter, listing Ziam -132 and Frevola +108 via FanDuel.
Matt Frevola vs. Fares ZiamUFC Paris start time, how to watch
Frevola and Ziam are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 3:05 p.m. ET (9:05 p.m. locally in Paris). The fight will stream on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 243.
