Full disclosure, I don't think i have ever picked a Fares Ziam fight correctly. Personally, I don't know why, but I am not a huge fan. Maybe that's why I keep picking against him and being wrong. This time will be different. i will no longer look at him. call him a soft, boring Frenchie and then pick the other side. Once i took a step back and put my unexplained bias aside, i realize that he is a boring Frenchie who loses this fight. Listen, no one was more surprised than me when he beat Mike Davis, but we need to remember, that version of Mike Davis was high on paint fumes, didn't actually fight and still almost broke Fares' leg in half. Nazim has shown us he is an incredible striker, we know he has takedown defense and we know he has dog in him. Nazim is the pick and I should finally be on the right side of a Fares Ziam fight.

Fares Ziam

Fares Ziam is a long rangy striker who also works well in the clinch. He manages range with solid leg kicks and when he decides to close the distance he works to a clinch where he has solid elbows. He is a technical fighter and avoids risk. He picks his shots well and only engages when he sees an opportunity. He takes his time and looks to point his way to victory. He is coming off a pretty stereotypical Fares Ziam win where he only landed 34 strikes in 15 minutes but did have 4 takedowns.

Nazim Sadykhov

Nazim Sadykhov is a solid kickboxer with speed and power. He can be reckless but he typically takes his time on his feet to find his openings. He is a very slick striker who can transition to wrestling if the striking isn't doing what it is supposed to. He is coming off the insane back and forth fight with Nikolas Motta where he was almost put out early but survived and found his own finish.