Matt Frevola Aims for Victory Against Fares Ziam at UFC Fight Night 243
Fight Preview and Predictions
This Saturday, September 28, 2024, the Accor Arena in Paris, France, will host UFC Fight Night 243, featuring an exciting lightweight bout between Matt Frevola and Fares Ziam. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the matchup and what to expect.
Fighter Profiles
Matt Frevola, known as "The Steamrolla," comes into this fight with a record of 11-4-1 in MMA and 5-4-1 in the UFC. Frevola is looking to rebound from his last fight, where he was defeated by Benoit Saint Denis via a head kick knockout in November 2023. Prior to this loss, Frevola had been on a three-fight winning streak, finishing opponents Genaro Valdez, Ottman Azaitar, and Drew Dober all in the first round.
On the other hand, Fares Ziam, the French lightweight, boasts a record of 15-4 in MMA and 5-2 in the UFC. Ziam is riding a three-fight winning streak, having secured consecutive decision wins over Michal Figlak, Jai Herbert, and Claudio Puelles. His most recent victory was a split decision against Claudio Puelles in February 2024.
Fight Analysis and Predictions
The matchup between Frevola and Ziam promises to be an action-packed fight. Frevola is known for his aggressive style, which could bring out the best in Ziam, who is often stereotyped as a 'point-fighting' competitor. According to MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom, Frevola's aggression is likely to force Ziam into a more engaging fight, potentially leading to Frevola taking the fight to the floor, where he has a significant advantage.
Tom predicts that unless Ziam can deliver a one-punch knockout, Frevola will likely close in and take the fight to the ground, where he could secure a submission victory by Round 2. This prediction aligns with Frevola's history of finishing fights decisively, especially given his training under renowned coach Ray Longo.
Betting Odds
Despite Frevola's aggressive style and potential ground advantage, the betting odds currently favor Fares Ziam. Ziam is listed as the favorite at -132 (or 1.8 -130 in some markets), while Frevola is the underdog at +108 (or 2.1 +112 in some markets).
For specific methods of victory, the odds suggest a knockout by Ziam is more likely than by Frevola, with Ziam's KO/TKO odds at +270 compared to Frevola's at +600. Both fighters have similar odds for winning by decision, with Ziam at +265 and Frevola at +280.
How to Watch
The fight between Frevola and Ziam is part of the main card of UFC Fight Night 243, which starts at 12:00 PM EST on ESPN+ and TNT Sports Box Office. The ring walks for Frevola and Ziam are expected to occur around 3:05 PM ET (9:05 PM locally in Paris).
For viewers in different regions, here are the start times: - USA and Canada (EST): 12:00 PM - USA and Canada (PT): 9:00 AM - UK and Ireland (GMT): 4:00 PM - Australia (AEDT): 3:00 AM (Sunday, September 29, 2024).
If streaming services are restricted in your area, using a VPN to change your IP address is recommended to bypass these restrictions.
Conclusion
The bout between Matt Frevola and Fares Ziam at UFC Fight Night 243 promises to be an intense and tactical fight, with both fighters looking to assert their dominance in the lightweight division. With Frevola's aggressive style and Ziam's consistent decision wins, this fight is set to be a thrilling opener for the main card. Tune in to ESPN+ or TNT Sports Box Office to catch the action live.