French lightweight Fares Ziam has announced he has signed a new contract with the UFC. This marks his fourth contract signing with the promotion. Ziam expressed gratitude to those who believed in him and indicated this is just the beginning of something significant. The specific terms of the new deal were not disclosed. Ziam has been competing in the UFC's lightweight division.
French lightweight Fares Ziam has signed a new contract with the UFC, the fighter announced on April 7, marking his fourth contract renewal with the promotion since joining the organization.
Ziam, nicknamed "Smile Killer," carries an 18-4-0 professional record and competes in one of the UFC's most competitive divisions. The 29-year-old from France trains out of Kill Cliff FC and stands six-foot-one with a 75-inch reach, fighting out of an orthodox stance. He lands 2.85 significant strikes per minute at a 51 percent striking accuracy rate, and supplements his standup game with 1.62 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat. Ziam did not disclose the financial terms of the new deal but expressed gratitude toward those who have supported him throughout his career, framing the signing as the start of something significant rather than a milestone in itself.
Why it matters
- Ziam re-upping for a fourth time signals the UFC's continued confidence in his trajectory within the lightweight division
- At just 29, he is entering what is typically a fighter's athletic prime, giving the new contract considerable long-term relevance
- His combination of striking volume and takedown ability makes him a stylistically difficult opponent for a range of lightweight contenders
