Fight-by-fight preview | UFC Paris

The main card begins with an intriguing lightweight bout between nimble Frenchman Fares Ziam and Long Island veteran Matt Frevola.

Ziam began his UFC career with a loss and was 2-2 after four fights, but since then the tall and lean 27-year-old has reeled off three straight wins. He spoiled Michal Figlak's debut in Paris two years ago, then defeated veteran Jai Herbert and picked up a split decision win over friend and former training partner Claudio Puelles earlier this year, improving his overall record to 15-4.

Three consecutive first-round knockouts from the beginning of 2022 through UFC 288 last May put Frevola in the top 15 of the lightweight division when he faced Saint Denis at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately for “The Steamrolla,” he landed in the first round and now returns here for the first time since to try and get things back in a positive direction.

This is a crucial fight for both of them, as Ziam will have to show he can keep up with a battle-hardened veteran like Frevola, while the 34-year-old New Yorker will have to show he can fight back and still keep up with the rising lightweight division. However this fight turns out, it should remain exciting for as long as it lasts.

Provisional card pairings

Ion Cutelaba vs. Ivan Erslan

The preliminary fights end with a real bang, as Ion Cutelaba welcomes Ivan Erslan to the Octagon for the first time.

Now in his ninth year on the UFC roster, Cutelaba has established himself as an all-around light heavyweight contender, despite going the full distance in just four of his last 16 appearances. Erslan, 32, has an overall record of 14-3 and has won his last nine fights going the full distance, competing primarily for KSW.

Oumar Sy vs Da Woon Jung