Rahiki vows first-round knockout of unbeaten McMillen at Noche UFC 4

Marwan Rahiki has promised to knock out Tommy McMillen in the first round when the two unbeaten featherweight prospects collide at Noche UFC 4 on September 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Rahiki carries a 9-0 record into the bout; McMillen is 11-0.

Rahiki admitted he was caught off guard when the UFC offered him the matchup, but quickly embraced it as a sign of the organisation’s faith in his potential. “I was just a fan. I was like, ‘No way! Like really? Like seriously?’” he said. “I appreciate that from the UFC. Calling me out for a fight like this, lets me know that they care and they can see the potential of a superstar.”

Nicknamed “Freaky”, Rahiki wasted little time breaking down why he believes the fight ends early. He cited superior striking technique, hand speed, power and physical size as the factors that will overwhelm McMillen. “I think my striking skill is just so much better,” he said. “I’ll be quicker than anyone that he ever faced. I’ll be more powerful than anyone he ever faced, bigger than anyone he ever faced and that’s gonna play a big factor in this fight.”

Rahiki was unambiguous about his finishing intentions. “I’m just gonna knock him out. That’s all I can think of. I can’t explain to you how, but it’s gonna happen. I think I go out there and knock him out in the first round. That’s my plan.”

Beyond the result itself, Rahiki has a clear strategic goal: a statement performance that forces the UFC’s matchmakers to place him against a ranked featherweight next. “Just put everybody on notice,” he said. “Hopefully the next one will be someone ranked, then get up there as soon as possible.”

The all-unbeaten featherweight clash is one of the more intriguing prospect matchups on the Noche UFC 4 card, with both fighters entering having never tasted defeat as professionals.