UFC Paris Shake-Up: Fares Ziam Withdraws From Bout After Family Tragedy

The upcoming UFC Paris Fight Night card has taken a tough blow just days before fight week. French lightweight Fares Ziam announced on Instagram that he is withdrawing from his scheduled clash with Kaue Fernandes following the sudden passing of his grandmother.

Ziam, nicknamed the “Smile Killer,” explained the decision with heartfelt words:

“Following the sudden death of my grandmother, and the organization of her funeral in France and abroad, I regret to cancel my participation in UFC Paris on September 6. Family is my priority.” - from Ziam's Instagram

It’s a devastating setback for the Frenchman, who was set to compete on home soil in front of Paris fans. Ziam is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Mike Davis at UFC Saudi Arabia in February and has been riding impressive momentum with five straight wins. His last loss came in February 2022 against Terrance McKinney. With a professional record of 17-4 (7-2 UFC), Ziam has notable victories over the likes of Matt Frevola and Jai Herbert.

As of now, the UFC has not announced whether Fernandes will receive a short-notice opponent or if the fight will be rescheduled for a later date.

Fernandes, 30, entered this bout on a roll of his own, coming off a unanimous decision win over Guram Kutateladze at UFC London in March. The Brazilian lightweight owns a 10-2 professional record and has been looking to solidify his spot in the UFC following his debut loss to Marc Diakiese in 2023.

With Ziam’s withdrawal, UFC Paris loses one of its featured homegrown fighters, and fans will be waiting to see how the promotion reshuffles the deck just days out.

🎙️ MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

This is an unfortunate turn for UFC Paris, especially since Ziam is one of the fighters who connects deeply with the French audience. His absence is a blow to the atmosphere, but his decision to prioritize family is both understandable and admirable. For Fernandes, it’s a frustrating spot — either he gets a last-minute replacement or faces the uncertainty of waiting. If UFC wants to keep the momentum of this Paris card strong, finding a short-notice fill-in will be key.