Axel Sola knocks out Fares Ziam at UFC Paris

At UFC Paris held at the Accor Arena on September 5, 2026, Axel Sola secured a major victory by knocking out fellow Frenchman Fares Ziam in the first round. The co-main event lightweight bout ended at the 1:40 mark after Sola landed a powerful counter left hook that left Ziam unconscious.

Sola, who improved his professional record to 12-1-1, has now recorded two consecutive first-round finishes in the UFC. Ziam, a veteran with a record of 18-6, suffered his second consecutive defeat. Following the match, Sola expressed respect for Ziam and addressed negative comments regarding his opponent's origins.

In the main event, Salahdine Parnasse made a successful UFC debut by defeating New Zealander Dan Hooker. Parnasse secured a knockout victory at 2:35 of the first round, marking a significant milestone for the French fighter in the lightweight division.