Farès Ziam VS Tom Nolan

Tom Nolan defeated Farès Ziam by unanimous decision — all three judges scored it 29-28 — in their three-round lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim on June 6, 2026. Nolan controlled the contest through grappling and clinch work, using his size and physicality to tie up and neutralize his French opponent across all three rounds. In the opening round, both men scored takedowns, but Nolan's thunderous slam underscored his physical advantage and set the tone for the fight; Ziam scrambled back to top position but could not generate enough sustained offense to threaten a finish. Ziam had entered as a heavy favorite on a six-fight winning streak, making Nolan's measured, dominant performance a significant upset. The Australian improved to 11-1 and extended his winning streak to five, marking the biggest victory of his career.

Ranked No. 14 at lightweight, Farès Ziam carries a six-fight winning streak and legitimate finishing power after stoppages of Frevola, Davis, and Sadykhov, making this a legitimate ranking test rather than a routine booking. Tom Nolan arrives unranked but dangerous, earning his UFC slot via Contender Series and stringing together four straight wins including a first-round submission of Charlie Campbell at UFC Perth. A win for Nolan cracks the rankings; a win for Ziam cements his credentials as a genuine top-15 threat.