Ziam’s UFC 323 Win Sparks Debate After Controversial Late Stoppage
What happened with Fares Ziam at UFC 323 is one of those moments where a fighter’s big victory gets instantly overshadowed—not by the action, not by the opponent, but by the timing of a referee’s decision. And that’s exactly what played out when Ziam, who came in riding serious momentum, managed to stop Nazim Sadykhov right at the end of Round 2… or possibly just after it. That tiny sliver of a second is what set the entire MMA community buzzing.
The result on paper couldn’t be cleaner. Ziam scored a TKO at 4:59 of the second round, securing what should’ve been a signature win in his surging career. That made it six straight victories, and at just 28, he looked like a lightweight contender hitting his stride. But as soon as referee Jason Herzog stepped in, fans split right down the middle. Some saw a late stoppage. Others thought it was fine. And many were convinced the horn had already sounded before Herzog reacted.
The debate really caught fire when MMA journalist Adam Martin posted that the official time seemed “odd,” because it looked like the bell had rung before Herzog stepped in. That single comment lit up social media. Suddenly, instead of celebrating Ziam’s dominance, everyone was dissecting the referee’s timing frame-by-frame.
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But to understand why this turned into a full-blown argument, you have to look at the fight itself. Sadykhov came in undefeated in the UFC, gritty, and notoriously durable. He wasn’t supposed to go away easy, and he didn’t. Round 1 was full of grappling scrambles and close calls, with Ziam controlling large portions while Sadykhov refused to break. Round 2 didn’t slow down, either—both men traded kicks, battled in the clinch, and reversed positions nonstop. Ziam eventually got things to the mat again, using his physical advantages—longer reach, better frame, and slick accuracy—to dictate pace.
With under ten seconds left, everything unraveled for Sadykhov. As he tried to stand, Ziam cracked him with two brutal elbows and followed with heavy punches. Sadykhov shelled up, clearly hurt. Herzog then moved in—but that’s the moment fans can’t agree on. Some swear the bell rang first. Some insist Herzog made the right call. And some argue he should’ve stopped it earlier anyway.
Reactions online ranged from calling Herzog “the worst ref in the UFC” to praising him for a “great call” based on Sadykhov’s body language as he tried to rise. Others said Ziam still would’ve won, but the fight should’ve continued into Round 3 because the horn came first.
Regardless of the controversy, one thing is clear: Ziam fought a sharp, disciplined fight and earned a big win. But instead of being talked about for his skill, he’s now at the center of an officiating debate that probably won’t cool down anytime soon.
And just like that, what should’ve been his spotlight moment turned into one of the most discussed stoppages of the night.
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