PARIS – Fares Ziam is happy with his performance at UFC Fight Night 209 but disappointed he didn’t get the finish.
The French-Algerian fighter almost got the stoppage when he rocked Michal Figlak with a spinning back elbow in Round 2 this past Saturday at Accor Arena, but Figlak survived. Nonetheless, it was a well rounded effort from Ziam (13-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who showed off his striking and grappling in a unanimous decision win in front of his home fans.
“It’s like a dream,” Ziam told reporters, including MMA Junkie at the post-fight news conference. “Because for me, fight in France, first time with UFC, first time in MMA for me in France, super happy.”
He continued, “He’s a tough guy, he’s a tough opponent. I wish to finish him in the second round with the spinning elbow, but he’s tough. And after the second round, no energy. I fight only with my heart.”
“I feel good, because I won tonight, but I need more to finish the fight.”
Ziam was successful in his first fight of a new four-fight UFC deal. He’s ready for a quick turnaround for UFC 280 on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi, and is even ready to jump in as a short-notice replacement if any fight falls through.
“Next I want Abu Dhabi, but the card was full,” Ziam said. “In Abu Dhabi, I have two fights: one loss and one win, but let’s go Abu Dhabi. I have no injury, I’m fresh.”
He continued, “Let’s go, 100 percent. I’m a fighter, I need fight, I need money, let’s go.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 209.