Ziam initially struggled at times against the Peruvian wrestling standout, but the Frenchman displayed great technique in getting out of the grappling exchanges and picking his opponent apart on the feet to edge out a split-decision win. Currently riding a three-fight decision win streak, “Smile Killer” called for a striking affair with Hooker.
“I think I have the level of Top 15. Claudio [fought] with Dan Hooker last time, I want to fight Dan Hooker,” Ziam said during a post-fight media scrum. “He’s a striker and it’s gonna be [a] striking match. Not like that — grappling, grappling, grappling. I know I can strike too, but when I want to strike he [comes] every time [to] wrestle me. I don’t have good reaction in the wrestling, but I’m gonna work very hard. I learn with the win, so it’s good.”
Hooker, who defeated Puelles via second-round TKO at UFC 281, is coming off a split-decision triumph against Jalin Turner at UFC 290. Ziam, meanwhile, has won five of his last six outings in the Las Vegas-based promotion.