UFC Vegas 118 continues on the main card Saturday with a lightweight matchup between ranked contender Fares Ziam and rising Australian prospect Tom Nolan. Ziam enters the bout as the clear favorite after building one of the division’s strongest momentum runs, while Nolan looks to use his size, athleticism, and finishing ability to produce a major upset.
Ziam, who holds an 18-4 professional record, has won six straight fights and is currently ranked No. 15 in the UFC lightweight division. The French fighter has shown steady improvement throughout his run, earning a unanimous decision over Mike Davis in January 2025 before following that performance with a strong striking finish of Nazim Sadykhov in his most recent appearance. His combination of crisp boxing, damaging kicks, and solid grappling has made him one of the most complete fighters in the weight class. Ziam’s experience against ranked UFC opposition also gives him a significant edge entering this contest.
Nolan, meanwhile, brings a 10-1 record and arrives with plenty of confidence. The 26-year-old “Big Train” has won four straight fights in the UFC and continues to gain attention as one of the promotion’s more promising young lightweight prospects. He earned a hard-fought unanimous decision over Viacheslav Borshchev at UFC 312 in February 2025, then added an impressive first-round rear-naked choke submission of Charlie Campbell at UFC Perth in September 2025. Nolan has shown he can win in different ways, with five career knockout victories and a growing submission game that makes him dangerous in multiple phases.
The stylistic matchup favors Ziam on paper, but Nolan’s physical advantages could make the fight competitive early. At 6-foot-2 with a 75-inch reach, he has a length edge over Ziam and the type of frame that can create problems if he manages distance well. His power, size, and ability to mix striking with takedown attempts give him a path to victory if he can force Ziam into uncomfortable exchanges or bring the fight to the mat.
Still, Ziam’s technical striking, composure, and overall UFC experience appear to be the difference-makers. He has already proven himself against higher-level competition and has demonstrated the ability to stay dangerous deep into fights. Nolan’s toughness and upside are clear, but this represents a major step up in opposition. Ziam’s sharper striking and more polished all-around skill set should begin to take control as the bout progresses.
The prediction leans toward Ziam to extend his winning streak, likely by second-round TKO, while the over 1.5 rounds also appears to be a reasonable betting angle based on both fighters’ recent form and durability.
