Fares Ziam vs. Don Madge

Round 1
Kicking off this morning of fights in Abu Dhabi is a lightweight affair between Ziam (10-2, 0-0 UFC) and Madge (8-3-1, 1-0 UFC), with each man trying to smash the other's five-fight win streak. The referee for this opening bout is Peter Hickmott. The two touch gloves, and Madge starts out with several hard leg kicks before pressing into the clinch to pursue the body lock takedown. Madge puts on heavy pressure; while eating a few short knees, Ziam tries to trip his opponent to no avail. The two jockey for position against the fence, and Ziam briefly gains the advantage, using that position to throw a few knees of his own along with a sharp elbow when trying to break away. Madge stays high and tight, keeping hold of his foe until Hickmott separates the two. Madge immediately comes forward to swing leather and a solid body kick, all while trying to initiate the clinch and go after a takedown that he cannot secure. Ziam tries for a takedown of his own but is rebuffed, and of the two fighters, Ziam appears to be landing slightly more effective strikes when he controls the clinch. With 10 seconds left, Madge tries for one last trip but cannot hit it, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Madge

Round 2
Like the first round, Madge charges forward when the round opens and uses his wide striking to get back into the clinch. Ziam then takes charge to spin around, breaking away and chasing down the South African with swarming punches. Madge does not let this fight stay at distance for long, and again leans into the clinch, where he is the closest he has been to scoring a takedown -- but Ziam stays upright. The two men go back and forth turning each other and gaining the advantage for a moment. Although they separate briefly, Madge will not allow this to go on for long, once again racing forward to initiate the clinch. Hickmott tells the fighters to work and then quickly separates them. After throwing a head kick that gets blocked, Ziam looks to take the fight down to the canvas but nothing doing. With 20 seconds left in the second stanza, Madge lifts the French fighter up and slams him down to the canvas, where he holds top position and scores a couple powerful punches until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Madge
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Madge
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Madge

Round 3
Unsurprisingly, in less than five seconds Madge has already closed the distance to gain the clinch position. Madge wraps his arms around his adversary's body and almost spins him down, but Ziam is wise to it and stands them back up. Madge goes in deep on a single leg takedown, and Ziam uses a kimura attempt to stave off the attack. Ziam shouts as he explodes out of the position, but Madge stays strong and drags Ziam down with a double leg takedown. "Smile Killer" stays strong and returns to his feet, but Madge is relentless as he goes after a single leg takedown. Ziam again uses the kimura to try to shuck off his opponent, and Madge rolls through it and we go back against the fence. Madge manages to score another takedown as he doggedly tries to get this fight down, and postures up to land a few hard elbows. Sitting comfortably in guard, "Magic Man" evades any upkicks and counteroffensives from the downed fighter, as he lands a little more ground-and-pound to grind out the rest of the round, which then ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Madge (29-28 Madge)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Madge (29-28 Madge)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Madge (30-27 Madge)

The Official Result
Don Madge def. Fares Ziam via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)