Fabia Sintes Outgrapples Aljarouj to Spoil UFC Paris Debut

Fabia Sintes spoiled Michael Aljarouj's homecoming at UFC Paris, grinding out a unanimous decision over three rounds in an all-debutant flyweight bout that pushed his winning streak to eight straight.

Aljarouj, fighting in front of his home fans, opened well. He used kicks and movement to keep Sintes at range in the first round, showing off the kind of regional pedigree that got him to the UFC in the first place. Sintes didn't blink. He kept hunting takedowns even as Aljarouj's footwork made him miss, and that patience paid off in round two.

How Sintes Turned the Fight in Round Two

Sintes started landing his takedowns once he got the fight to the fence-adjacent open mat, and from there the fight became his. He passed through Aljarouj's guard, briefly took mount, and opened up with ground-and-pound and elbows that changed the scoring math. He also locked in a mounted guillotine late in the round that forced Aljarouj to survive to the horn, the kind of finishing threat that tends to sway judges even when it doesn't end the fight.

Sintes kept the formula going in the third, taking Aljarouj down again just seconds into the round. Aljarouj hunted leg locks and scrambles off his back and Sintes stayed patient, avoiding the danger while continuing to land elbows from top position. Sintes also threatened multiple chokes, including a D'Arce, before Aljarouj finally reversed position with just over a minute left. Aljarouj spent the rest of the fight on top but couldn't do enough from inside Sintes' guard to flip the scorecards.

The judges scored it 29-28, 29-28 and 29-27 for Sintes, who improved to 9-1 as a pro. Aljarouj falls to 8-2-1 in a debut that started with promise but couldn't hold up once the fight hit the mat.

What This Means for the Flyweight Division

Sintes has now won eight in a row, and the way he did it, taking a hostile French crowd's fighter down repeatedly and controlling him on the ground for two full rounds, is the kind of tape that gets a flyweight noticed fast. Grappling-heavy control wins like this rarely get big bonuses, but they build a reputation with matchmakers, and Sintes looks like a name UFC matchmaking will want to keep moving. Aljarouj still showed enough in flashes, his kicking range early and his guard work and reversals late, that he's not likely to be cut off a razor-thin decision loss to a durable, well-rounded opponent in a hostile atmosphere for the debutant.

For bettors watching the flyweight prelims closely, this is exactly the type of fight where physical wrestling advantages travel across levels. Sintes' ability to consistently get the fight down against a fresher, more athletic striker in his home country is a data point worth remembering the next time either man is booked, particularly if Sintes lands against another opponent who leans heavily on distance striking without a real takedown defense pedigree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the fight between Fabia Sintes and Michael Aljarouj at UFC Paris?

Fabia Sintes defeated Michael Aljarouj by unanimous decision at UFC Paris, with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 29-27, improving his professional record to 9-1.

What is Fabia Sintes' win streak after UFC Paris?

Fabia Sintes extended his winning streak to eight straight victories with his decision win over Michael Aljarouj in his UFC debut at UFC Paris.

What is Michael Aljarouj's record after losing at UFC Paris?

Michael Aljarouj dropped to 8-2-1 after losing his UFC debut to Fabia Sintes by unanimous decision at UFC Paris.