Luigi Vendramini vs. Fares Ziam

Round 1
Switching gears to the lightweight division, two finish-happy fighters that have gone 1-1 in the UFC will toe the line as “Smile Killer” Ziam (11-3, 1-1 UFC) tries to kill the smile of Brazilian-Italian prospect Vendramini (9-1, 1-1 UFC). Drawing the assignment is referee Mike Beltran, who observes the two touching gloves before throwing down. Looking to find his range early is a Ziam, who has the frame to utilize his jab effectively – he does so. Vendramini crashes in to clinch and take the distance away, and Ziam shoves him away and gets back to a jab that has already marked up the nose fast. Ziam’s fakes and feints are freezing Vendramini, but the Italian successfully scores a kick to the knee. “Smile Killer” pierces the guard with a few jabs, breaking up a combination and getting out of the way of looping shots in time. A quick leg kick from Ziam lands, and Beltran tells Ziam he needs to close his fingers when striking. Vendramini looks for a left hook to counter, but Ziam sees it coming and is ready with a few jabs to the head and body. The crowd grows restless as the two measure one another from afar, and Ziam walks through a kick to get in several jabs and a quick left hook to follow. Ziam makes his opponent walk into a right hand, and a kick to the thigh follows suit as Vendramini is unable to get in his rhythm. Vendramini tries to win shots at him, but Ziam is light on his feet as he hops back out of danger. Ziam’s jab continues to get the job done as Vendramini is attempting to power through and throw big strikes, but those strikes come up hitting nothing but air. Ziam kicks the leg and gets popped in the nose, but he responds in kind with a sharp jab up the middle. A high kick glances off Ziam’s shoulder right before the round ends, and Ziam is proud of his work early on.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam

Round 2
The Frenchman picks up where he left off with several jabs, and Vendramini is changing his approach as he rushes forward to throw bombs. When Ziam backs away, he slips up a front kick that collides off Vendramini’s chin, and Vendramini falls forward into a takedown attempt. Ziam stuffs he and circles away against the fence, before the two return to the center of the cage. Vendramini attacks with a single leg takedown, and Ziam stifles it and wings an elbow that is inches shy of his intended target. Ziam keeps his jab going intermittently, and Vendramini has decided to stop eating them and charge like a bull. This plays into Ziam’s hands, who darts out of the way and counters on the outside. A left hand high and a one to the body come together, and Vendramini is taking damage as Ziam’s left hand is poking holes in him. Vendramini scores a single inside leg kick, but Ziam ignores it to get off a pair of punches in response. Vendramini has a leg kick checked, and Ziam absorbs a second one. The range of Ziam is allowing him to land strikes from afar, and his head movement protects him from harm as Vendramini is selling out to throw bombs. A few big punches from Vendramini turn into a double leg takedown attempt, and Ziam impressively shucks him off after getting driven into the cage. When the two separate, Vendramini wants to do some damage, with several wide shots that all come up short. Ziam sticks him with jab after unanswered jab, and he changes it up with a stomp kick to the knee as the crowd is getting bored. The Frenchman does not notice the unrest and does not change up his gameplan, with his jabs flowing right to the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam

Round 3
Ziam picks up right where he left off with sharp jabs, and Vendramini is not playing around anymore as he surges forward with enormous punches that catch Ziam standing tall. Vendramini sprints ahead, throwing everything he has into these strikes, and a few of them manage to connect and send Ziam flying. Vendramini’s foot firmly on the accelerator, Ziam can do nothing but run away, and Vendramini catches up with him. As Ziam retreats, he stumbles, and Vendramini blitzes forward and tackles him to the ground. Quickly and methodically, Vendramini climbs on top and advances his position. “The Italian Stallion” steps over to half guard and then mount, all while landing strikes from above, Ziam gives up his back for a second to regain his position, but Vendramini backs off and returns to half guard. As Ziam sits up, Vendramini snags his neck and tries to hook up an arm-in guillotine choke. When Ziam defends it, Vendramini recaptures mount and slams his fist into the side of Ziam’s head. Ziam manages to get his foe back to his guard, and he tries to sit up against the fence. Vendramini postures up when he does this and smashes his elbow into his opponent’s face. Ziam is shocked as he tries to kick off, and with a sudden explosion, he powers back to his feet and shoves Vendramini away. Ziam appears no worse for wear as he sticks out his jab, keeping Vendramini at bay. Ziam is fully on his bike, escaping from any time Vendramini charges recklessly. Ziam takes a punch when circling away, but Vendramini locks him down against the fence and blasts him in the face with a few punches. Ziam bounces off the fence and continues to strafe back and forth, fully in survival mode as his offense has dwindled almost to nothing. Vendramini tries one last-ditch effort to attack, but Ziam ties him up and holds on tight until the final bell. It will be interesting to see how judges score this round, and as a draw is not outside of the realm of possibility.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vendramini (29-28 Ziam)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Vendramini (29-28 Ziam)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vendramini (29-28 Ziam)

The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Luigi Vendramini via Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)