French lightweights collide on native soil on Saturday night, as Fares Ziam faces Axel Sola in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs. Parnasse in Paris.
Ziam (18–5, 8–3 UFC) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Tom Nolan in June, which snapped a six-fight winning streak. Sola (12–1–1, 2–1 UFC) recently rebounded from his first professional loss with a first-round submission victory against Ismael Bonfim in July.
Ziam enters as a -142 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Sola is a +120 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
Ziam vs. Sola Preview
Fares Ziam
- 18–5 (8–3 UFC)
- 7–0 (T)KO
- 4–3 SUB
Fares Ziam is shaking things up following his first loss in over four years. After dropping a decision to Tom Nolan in June, the French lightweight, 29, made a permanent move to train under famed MMA coach Trevor Wittman in Denver.
A battle-tested kickboxer with excellent striking defense, “Smile Killer” is hoping that the change in scenery is just what he needs to recapture the momentum from his six-fight winning streak. That torrid run included a highlight-reel knockout of Matt Frevola during Ziam’s last trip home in February 2025.
Axel Sola
- 12–1–1 (2–1 UFC)
- 6–0 (T)KO
- 2–0 SUB
It didn’t take long for Axel Sola to return to the Octagon, following his bounce-back win a couple of months ago. Fresh off a trip to Dagestan, the French southpaw, 28, showcased his improved grappling prowess with a first-round submission victory against Ismael Bonfim.
Sola has made for a thrilling addition to the 155-pound landscape; both his UFC wins have come by stoppage, including his September 2025 promotional debut against Rhys McKee in Paris. And his lone defeat, at the hands of Mason Jones, netted him a Fight of the Night bonus. Sola is extremely durable and aggressive on the feet — but with a bigger step up in competition, he may lean on his upgraded ground game.
Ziam vs. Sola Pick, Best Bet
Axel Sola enters Saturday night’s co-main event as a live dog, equipped with a dangerous grappling base and facing an opponent who has been submitted several times in the past. Even so, it’s difficult to see him overcoming the seasoned Octagon veteran in Fares Ziam.
With 11 UFC fights already under his belt, “Smile Killer” will now be cornered by Trevor Wittman, the coach who produced champions Kamaru Usman, Rose Namajunas, and, most recently, Justin Gaethje. That training pivot, along with the added motivation to recover from a loss, should give Ziam the edge in his return to Paris.
