The UFC Paris card has taken an unexpected turn just days before fight night. French lightweight Fares Ziam, originally scheduled to face Kaue Fernandes, was forced to withdraw from the event due to the passing of his grandmother. The setback left a void on one of the year’s most anticipated European cards.
In response, UFC matchmakers moved quickly, calling on Cage Warriors featherweight champion Harry Hardwick to step in on just four days’ notice. Hardwick, who will also be moving up a weight class to compete at lightweight, now has the chance to make his UFC debut in front of a sold-out Accor Arena in Paris.
Who Is Harry Hardwick?
Harry “Houdini” Hardwick has quietly built one of the strongest résumés in the European MMA scene. The 30-year-old Englishman holds a professional record of 13 wins, four losses, and one draw, with an impressive eight-fight unbeaten streak heading into his UFC debut.
Hardwick captured the Cage Warriors featherweight championship in May 2024 and went on to defend the belt twice, finishing three of his last four fights. Known for his sharp striking and ability to adapt mid-fight, Hardwick has earned a reputation as one of the most complete fighters outside the UFC.
He also shares the cage-fighting spotlight with his younger brother, George Hardwick, a former Cage Warriors lightweight champion who has competed on Dana White’s Contender Series. Together, the Hardwick brothers have become one of the most respected duos in British MMA.
Kaue Fernandes’ Road to Paris
Brazil’s Kaue Fernandes, meanwhile, has been steadily climbing the UFC ranks. A former Shooto Brasil champion and LFA veteran, Fernandes signed with the UFC in 2023. His debut ended in a loss to England’s Marc Diakiese, but he rebounded with a first-round TKO win over Mohammad Yahya in Abu Dhabi.
Earlier this year at UFC London, Fernandes picked up another big victory with a unanimous decision over Guram Kutateladze. Saturday will mark his fourth UFC appearance, and a win over a surging prospect like Hardwick would solidify his growing reputation in the lightweight division.
Axel Sola Earns Main Card Spotlight
French standout Axel Sola will also make his long-awaited UFC debut on Saturday, with his bout against Ireland’s Rhys McKee elevated to the main card. The 27-year-old enters the Octagon with an undefeated record of 10-0-1 and three straight victories, fresh off a successful defense of his Ares FC lightweight championship in June. Now competing at welterweight, Sola brings a polished karate-based striking game that has produced five knockouts in his career. A native of Nice, France, Sola has been a decorated competitor since his amateur days and now gets the chance to perform in front of a home crowd on one of Europe’s biggest UFC events.
Short Notice, Big Stakes
The timing of Hardwick’s debut adds an extra layer of intrigue. Taking a fight on less than a week’s notice is challenging enough, but moving up a weight class against a proven opponent makes the task even tougher.
Still, Hardwick is embracing the opportunity. A win would not only end Fernandes’ momentum but also announce his arrival in the UFC with impact. For Fernandes, this bout presents a chance to showcase consistency against a dangerous newcomer while pushing closer to the lightweight rankings.
UFC Paris Card Remains Stacked
Despite Fares Ziam’s absence, the UFC Paris lineup remains one of the year’s strongest international cards. In the main event, Nassourdine Imavov takes on Caio Borralho in a five-round middleweight clash that could determine Khamzat Chimaev’s next challenger.
The co-main event also features a France vs. Brazil showdown, with Benoit Saint Denis meeting Mauricio Ruffy in a high-stakes lightweight battle. Additional highlights include Rhys McKee, Mason Jones, Paul Craig, Modestas Bukauskas, and heavyweight veteran Marcin Tybura. Several other rising talents, including Losene Keita, Axel Sola, and Ante Delija, will also make their UFC debuts.
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