Fares Ziam: Fighting Paddy Pimblett at rumored UFC London card would be ‘the best option’
After his matchup with highly touted Terrance McKinney fell through, Fares Ziam is eyeing another hyped prospect.
Ziam (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) was scheduled to face McKinney at UFC Fight Night 198 earlier this onth Saturday, but his fight was canceled just a few hours before making the walk to the octagon. The UFC proposed multiple dates for the fight to get rebooked, but having been away from home for months, Ziam opted to fly back to France.
While the 24-year-old is open for the McKinney fight to get rebooked in the first quarter of 2022, he’d also love to face Paddy Pimblett, who like Ziam also is coming off a win over Luigi Vendramini.
And with the UFC rumored to return to London in March, it would fall perfectly in line with Ziam’s desired date to compete.
“For me, it’s the best option,” Ziam told MMA Junkie. “So let’s go. If it’s March 5 in London, I’m ready.
“In the first minute I see Vendramini beat Paddy Pimblett, but after Paddy knocked out Vendramini. I think maybe if one week ago I fought Terrance and I won, I think the UFC would have put Paddy Pimblett as my next fight.”
Pimblett (17-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has garnered major steam behind his name following his knockout of Vendramini. Although the native of Liverpool, England, has only laced up the UFC gloves once, Ziam thinks his hype is warranted, but likes his chances against him.
“Yes, I think he has big hype,” Ziam said. “He came to the UFC with a first-round knockout, so for me, yes, he deserves this.
“Maybe his first fight in the UFC, a little bit of pressure, but after a few minutes he did very well. But I think I can beat Paddy because I have better kickboxing than Luigi (and) better takedown defense. So now I’m very good, so we will see.”
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