The Menorcan fighter overcame a hostile crowd and an experienced European champion.
PARIS, FRANCE
Spanish mixed martial artist Fabià Sintes made a successful UFC debut by defeating Michael Aljarouj through unanimous decision at the Accor Arena in Paris. The judges scored the flyweight contest 29-28, 29-28 and 29-27 in favor of the 32-year-old Menorcan, who entered the organization after establishing himself on Spain’s MMA circuit.
Sintes faced a difficult assignment against Aljarouj, a France-based fighter of Syrian origin and former Hexagone MMA champion who was also making his promotional debut. Encouraged by the home crowd, Aljarouj competed aggressively during the opening exchanges, while Sintes absorbed the early pressure and gradually imposed his pace.
The Spaniard gained control during the second round through sustained pressure, takedowns and effective work on the ground. He threatened with a guillotine choke and continued searching for a finish as his opponent began showing visible damage. Another takedown and extended positional control in the final round secured a clear advantage on the scorecards.
Known as the “Menorcan Colt,” Sintes arrived in the UFC as the flyweight champion of WOW FC, where he had successfully defended his title. His victory also ended a sequence of four consecutive defeats for Spanish fighters in the promotion. More importantly, it demonstrated that he could translate his European experience into a composed performance on the sport’s largest international platform.
The result gives Sintes a strong foundation, although one victory does not yet establish his place within the UFC’s competitive flyweight hierarchy. His next opponent will reveal whether the physical pressure, ground control and emotional discipline displayed in Paris can remain effective against increasingly accomplished competition.
A successful debut opens the door, but consistency builds a career.