Axel Sola from Nice won the co-main event of UFC Paris 2026 against Farès Ziam. A counter left hand sent his fellow countryman to the canvas in the first round.
Just over a month after his victory against Ismaël Bonfim, Axel Sola was already back in the cage. The 28-year-old from Nice faced Farès Ziam in the co-main event of UFC Paris 2026 this Saturday, September 5 at the Accor Arena.
The stakes were high for the Nice Boxing Squad fighter. After recent debuts at the UFC, Axel Sola had to confirm the promise shown since his arrival in the organization. Facing a more experienced opponent, the challenge was also an opportunity to take his career to the next level.
Axel Sola had fought his first UFC bout in September 2025. A victory against Rhys McKee had launched his career in the organization. A few months later, Mason Jones ended his winning streak with a unanimous decision. The Nice fighter then bounced back against Ismaël Bonfim, submitted in the first round on July 25.
Axel Sola finds the opening and strikes with a counter
The duel against Farès Ziam was meant to allow the two Frenchmen to settle things in the lightweight division. The Lyonnais was coming off a loss to Tom Nolan and was looking to get back on track. Axel Sola arrived, for his part, with a recent victory and a professional record of 12 victories, one defeat and one draw.
The beginning of the fight was to the advantage of Farès Ziam in the exchanges at distance. Several powerful kicks found their target without pushing Axel Sola back.
Soon after, the fight turned. Farès Ziam threw an elbow to which the Nice fighter immediately responded with a left counter. The blow hit his opponent’s chin and he collapsed. The referee immediately stopped the fight after only 1 minute and 40 seconds in the first round. Axel Sola won by K.O. and secures another victory in the octagon.
After the fight, the Maralpin also had a thought for his opponent. A reaction that came with a request directed to the UFC for the rest of his career: “Good evening Paris! Please, Fares is a fucking fighter, the best is yet to come, send him strength. My job is to say yes to the fighters they propose to me, I’m just waiting for the offer.”
Axel Sola also used this opportunity to request the signing of his friend Virgil Augen the other pure product of the Nice Boxing Squad. The Nice fighter hopes to be able to fight again on a card with his close friend.
After this fine victory against Farès Ziam, Axel Sola now has a UFC record of three victories for one defeat. Now, time to rest while waiting to see if his plea will resonate with the UFC organizers.
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