Marwan Rahiki
Freaky
Australia
Routs late-notice opponent
Rahiki defeated Ollie Schmid via TKO (punches) at 2:47 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
It's the exact type of performance you like to see as a -750 favorite against a late-notice opponent. Rahiki was aggressive from the very start, hammering Schmid early on with a multitude of blows, including a spinning kick to the gut. He eventually put his opponent away with a lightning-fast left hook which dropped Schmid and forced referee Mike Beltran to step in. We'll have to see how he looks against a bit better competition, but Rahiki is now 9-0 as a professional with nine stoppage wins (eight knockouts, one submission) on his resume. He'll be just 24 years old in about a week.
It's the exact type of performance you like to see as a -750 favorite against a late-notice opponent. Rahiki was aggressive from the very start, hammering Schmid early on with a multitude of blows, including a spinning kick to the gut. He eventually put his opponent away with a lightning-fast left hook which dropped Schmid and forced referee Mike Beltran to step in. We'll have to see how he looks against a bit better competition, but Rahiki is now 9-0 as a professional with nine stoppage wins (eight knockouts, one submission) on his resume. He'll be just 24 years old in about a week.
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Gets new opponent in Perth
Rahiki will take on newcomer Ollie Schmid in a featherweight matchup at UFC Perth on Saturday, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Rahiki found himself without an opponent for the scheduled card following the withdrawal of Jack Jenkins, and given the fact the event was set to take place in Australia, it was going to be tough to find him an opponent on such short notice. The UFC worked its magic, however, finding the 25-year-old Schmid just days before the event. Schmid is a product of the Australia-based City Kickboxing gym, which is likely why he got the nod, but he's just 4-2 since turning pro in October of 2023. Look for Rahiki to open as a big favorite once odds are released.
Rahiki found himself without an opponent for the scheduled card following the withdrawal of Jack Jenkins, and given the fact the event was set to take place in Australia, it was going to be tough to find him an opponent on such short notice. The UFC worked its magic, however, finding the 25-year-old Schmid just days before the event. Schmid is a product of the Australia-based City Kickboxing gym, which is likely why he got the nod, but he's just 4-2 since turning pro in October of 2023. Look for Rahiki to open as a big favorite once odds are released.
Needs new opponent
Rahiki is now in search of a new opponent for UFC Perth on Saturday after Jack Jenkins (undisclosed) withdrew from the card, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rahiki was set to enter this matchup as a slight betting favorite, but after losing his opponent, less than a week remains before the event. An overseas flight could limit replacement options for the undefeated Moroccan prospect.
Rahiki was set to enter this matchup as a slight betting favorite, but after losing his opponent, less than a week remains before the event. An overseas flight could limit replacement options for the undefeated Moroccan prospect.
Second fight at Perth
Rahiki will fight fellow featherweight Jack Jenkins at UFC Perth on May 2, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
Less than one month after forcing a corner stoppage of Harry Hardwick, Rahiki has another fight scheduled, this time against a fellow Aussie. Both fighters, Rahiki's opponent 1-1 in 2025, will look to make up part of the UFC's annual visit to Australia in their next fight.
Less than one month after forcing a corner stoppage of Harry Hardwick, Rahiki has another fight scheduled, this time against a fellow Aussie. Both fighters, Rahiki's opponent 1-1 in 2025, will look to make up part of the UFC's annual visit to Australia in their next fight.
Knockout win in UFC debut
Rahiki defeated Harry Hardwick via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Rahiki earned his UFC contract with a massive comeback win on Dana White's Contender Series in October. He was never in anywhere near that much trouble early on here, although Hardwick did win Round 1 on two of the three scorecards. Once the fight flipped to Round 2, Rahiki took over. He was credited with 46 significant strikes landed in the second frame alone, including a massive flurry along the fence which would have put away most any other man on the roster. The fight was eventually called off between rounds after Hardwick told his corner his jaw was broke. Massive for the featherweight division at 5-foot-10 and just 23 years old, Rahiki is an obviously guy to keep an eye on at 145 pounds moving forward. In the meantime, he'll take home a $100,000 bonus after this high-action affair was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Rahiki earned his UFC contract with a massive comeback win on Dana White's Contender Series in October. He was never in anywhere near that much trouble early on here, although Hardwick did win Round 1 on two of the three scorecards. Once the fight flipped to Round 2, Rahiki took over. He was credited with 46 significant strikes landed in the second frame alone, including a massive flurry along the fence which would have put away most any other man on the roster. The fight was eventually called off between rounds after Hardwick told his corner his jaw was broke. Massive for the featherweight division at 5-foot-10 and just 23 years old, Rahiki is an obviously guy to keep an eye on at 145 pounds moving forward. In the meantime, he'll take home a $100,000 bonus after this high-action affair was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Taking on Hardwick in March
Rahiki will face Harry Hardwick at a UFC event in Las Vegas on March 14, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Rahiki will put his undefeated professional record on the line in his second UFC bout. The 23-year-old Moroccan-born fighter will carry a slight reach advantage into the bout over the older Englishman. With six of his seven professional victories coming via KO/TKO, he will undoubtedly be looking to use his stopping power to end this one early.
Rahiki will put his undefeated professional record on the line in his second UFC bout. The 23-year-old Moroccan-born fighter will carry a slight reach advantage into the bout over the older Englishman. With six of his seven professional victories coming via KO/TKO, he will undoubtedly be looking to use his stopping power to end this one early.