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UFC Paris: Fares Ziam vs. Axel Sola Tale of the Tape, Predictions, & Betting Odds

Alex Murray
By: Alex Murray
UFC Picks
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The UFC makes its fifth annual trip to Paris, France for UFC Fight Night 287 on September 5. The main event starts earlier than usual at 3 p.m. EST so get those alarms set for this Labour Day Saturday!

In the co-main event, the UFC decided to mix it up and set two Frenchmen against one another, with lightweights Fares Ziam and Axel Sola set to scrap it out in front of their home crowd. Ziam has a little bit more UFC experience and so so comes in as the favourite, though not by much.

Read on for our full betting breakdown of this France vs. France battle, including tale of the tape, the latest UFC betting odds, and best bets!

Highlights

  • Co-main event favourite Fares Ziam is 8-3 in the UFC
  • Axel Sola only joined the UFC in 2025, having gone 2-1 with the promotion so far
  • Ziam lost his most recent fight just three months ago in June

UFC Paris: Fares Ziam vs. Axel Sola Lightweight Main Event Bout - Tale of the Tape, Picks, & Odds - September 5 - 3 P.M. EDT

All odds provided by Powerplay.

Tale of the Tape:

CategoryFares ZiamAxel Sola
Height6’0” (1.83 m)6’0” (1.83 m)
Weight155 lbs (70 kg)155.5 lbs (71 kg)
Reach75” (191 cm)74.0” (188 cm)
Age2928
NicknameSmile KillerN/A
Fighting StanceOrthodoxSouthpaw
Significant Strikes Landed/Minute2.684.50
Strikes Absorbed/Minute1.584.53
Takedown Average1.861.89
Takedown Defense71 %67 %
Current RankingN/AN/A
Fighting Out OfLyon, FranceNice, France

Fight Analysis & Prediction

Fares Ziam vs. Axel Sola Lightweight Main Event Betting Odds

FighterMoneylineSpreadRoundsWin by DecisionWin by KO/TKO/DQWin by SubmissionGo the Distance
Fares Ziam-150-3.5 (+125)O2.5 (-200)+160+425+850Yes (-165)
Axel Sola+125+3.5 (-160)U2.5 (+155)+260+650+900No (+130)

Fares Ziam (18-5) was rolling before he dropped a disappointing decision in a boring bout against Tom Nolan just a couple months ago. Two months isn’t a long time between fights either, which is one of the reasons we’re leaning towards Axel Sola (12-1-1) despite the slightly younger fighter being a slight underdog for this one.

Sola has been a blast since he joined the UFC last year. He finished Ismael Bonfim with a nice D’arce choke in the first round in his most recent fight. And the first loss of his career in the previous matchup with Mason Jones won Fight of the Night.

Ziam is too passive for our liking, and Sola is a more exciting striker on top of much larger advantages in the clinch and on the mat. Sola also seems to be the more powerful fighter overall, so we give him the edge on enticing plus odds on the moneyline.

Best Bet: Axel Sola Moneyline (+125)

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Alex Murray has been a consistent presence on BettingTop10 since he joined the team in 2020 just after graduating from Ryerson University’s Sport Media program in 2019. He has written for publications including theScore, Sporting News, FanSided, FantasyPros, and more over his 6+ years in the field. Alex has also been a lifelong athlete and sports fan who has channeled that love into his entertaining writing style and shrewd betting strategies.

Alex Murray
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