Marwan Rahiki Vows to Get Tommy McMillen Back After First Loss

Marwan Rahiki wants another shot at Tommy McMillen. The Moroccan featherweight, who lost for the first time as a pro against McMillen at Noche UFC in September, says he took the bout on short notice and walked in expecting an early finish.

The fight matched two unbeaten prospects and turned into a Fight of the Year contender. McMillen moved to 12-0, including 3-0 in the UFC, while Rahiki fell to 9-1 and 2-1.

The first round was close on the feet. In the second, Rahiki put McMillen down with a left hook but could not finish him, and McMillen came back with pressure that gave him a clear third round.

"I felt like I'm going up two rounds," Rahiki said. "I'm not saying this to argue that I won. I lost the fight, but I was very close to beating him in his game, what he's best at so, that's the good part."

Short notice, no excuses

Rahiki admitted he had tried to talk himself into being fit enough. By the third round his legs were gone, and the aim became simply not to get finished, even as his instincts kept pushing him to chase a knockout.

"I thought I was going to get him out of there in like one round, and I think that was one of the reasons why I lost," he said.

He called it the worst shape of his life, especially in the UFC, while insisting that this was not an excuse. The lesson he takes is about discipline once the cage door closes. "Outside the fight, I'm disciplined," he said. "But in the fight, I have to be disciplined, and I have to just think before I act."

There is no bitterness toward the winner. Rahiki said he hopes McMillen stays undefeated and does well, and that they could meet again in maybe two fights. "You won the fight fair and square," he said. "But I'll get you back."

The 24-year-old hinted at a return at UFC Sydney in February. For 2027 he is aiming for four fights and a ranking by the end of the year, ideally with the rematch included. Ending the year in Abu Dhabi, he said, would be a dream.

Source: MMA Junkie