UFC fighter apologizes after landing 'unnecessary' punches on unconscious opponent

Fares Ziam continues to punch Matt Frevola in the face after he was knocked out during the UFC fight in Paris on September 29, 2024. Photo courtesy of UFC

Sunday's UFC Paris bout ended with Ziam dropping Frevola with a brutal knee at the Accor Arena. Frevola suffered a fractured left eye socket after the game.

However, the fight caused controversy as Ziam hit Frevola twice with heavy punches even after he was unconscious. Many took to social media to criticize the act.

“Why the extra strokes. Matt was clearly out after the knee,” account @tacofriedsoup wrote on X.

“The last two punches were absolutely unnecessary!!” commented another account.

Three days after the fight, Ziam apologized to Frevola in an interview with sports journalist Kevin Iole shared on his YouTube channel.

“I’m sorry to Matt for doing that, but I didn’t feel the knockout,” Ziam said. “So I didn't know at the time he passed out, so I'm sorry.”

Even though the extra shots were unnecessary, the referee didn't stop him in time. According to the rules, fighters are allowed to continue until the referee stops them.

Ziam, 27, nicknamed “Smile Killer,” joined the UFC in 2019. So far in his professional career, the French fighter has won 16 matches and lost 4 matches.