Marwan Rahiki vows to avenge Tommy McMillen loss: 'It's not over'

UFC featherweight Marwan Rahiki says his rivalry with Tommy McMillen is far from finished. Speaking to MMA Junkie in Abu Dhabi during UFC 333 fight week, the 24-year-old Moroccan said he will "get him back" after McMillen handed him the first loss of his career at Noche UFC in September.

The bout was a meeting of unbeaten featherweight prospects. McMillen (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) outlasted Rahiki (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in a fight MMA Junkie called a Fight of the Year contender. Rahiki had accepted it on short notice.

How the fight played out

The opening round was close, with both men landing on the feet. In the second, Rahiki dropped McMillen with a big left hook but could not finish him. McMillen survived, turned up the pressure and controlled the third round on the way to the win.

"Not really disappointing for me to be honest," Rahiki said. "It didn't go my way, but I've learned so much... It just stings. I almost had him, but it was a fun experience, and it was one of the best fights of the year."

'He knows. The UFC knows it's not over'

Rahiki said the two exchanged words after the fight. "He was saying that 'I got you,' and I said, 'Yeah, you got me. You've been doing this for how many years? I turned pro two years ago.'"

He insisted he is not making excuses, but admitted the short notice caught up with him. "I tried to convince myself that I was ready, and I was fit enough," he said. "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 went further later in the interview: "His coach and his team and him, they were saying how he's in the best shape in his life. I would say to you, that was my worst shape of my life, especially in the UFC."

Going into the third round, Rahiki said his legs were "gone", but his instincts kept pushing him to chase a knockout instead of fighting smart. "That's something big that I learned from this fight," he said. "I need to be disciplined in the fight." He also joked about McMillen's durability: "He has a big head, a big tough head. Every time I hit him, I was like, 'Why is this guy not falling?'"

Despite the frustration, Rahiki was respectful. "I hope he stays undefeated, and I actually really hope the best for him," he said. "Maybe two fights and we're going to clash again, and next time, you'll see."

Plans for 2027

Rahiki hinted at a return at UFC Sydney in February and laid out his targets for next year:

• four fights in 2027, after three this year;
• a place in the featherweight rankings by the end of the year;
• ideally, a rematch with McMillen;
• ending the year on a card in Abu Dhabi, which he called "a dream".

No rematch or next opponent has been announced by the UFC.