Fares Ziam most likely has ended any debate over the MMA Knockout of the Year with three months remaining in 2024 with one of the greatest finishes in UFC history.
In the main card opener of UFC Paris on Saturday at Accor Arena, Ziam was well on his way to a victory over Matt Frevola as the two were grappling along the cage in the second half of the final round. Ziam put his right arm on Frevola head and pushed down.
At the same time, he unleashed a vicious knee that landed squarely on the chin. Frevola went down as if he'd been shot and didn't move for several anxious moments. He was out cold and even when he was revived, he needed assistance to leave the cage. The official time of the KO was 2:59 of the third.
"Insane," is how UFC president/CEO Dana White termed it.
WHAT A KO 🤯@ZiamFares puts an end to this one with a vicious finish #UFCParis pic.twitter.com/X869M9Yq1a
— UFC (@ufc) September 28, 2024
It may well be one of the top five knockouts in UFC history. Certainly, there were few knockouts by knee that were ever as dramatic.