Undefeated Tommy McMillen to face Marwan Rahiki at Noche UFC

The matchup

American fighter Tommy McMillen (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) takes on Moroccan-born, Australia-based Marwan "Freaky" Rahiki (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) on Saturday, September 12, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on the Noche UFC main card, broadcast on Paramount+.

Background

McMillen, a Montana native, relocated to Arizona to train at Red Hawk Academy in Peoria under coach Tim Welch, the same gym where former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley trains — a fighter McMillen cites as an inspiration. Both of McMillen's UFC wins have earned him $100,000 bonus checks, including his most recent victory, a third-round TKO over Alberto Montes in which, according to UFC.com, he set a UFC record for significant strikes landed in a three-round fight. Saturday's bout comes just 57 days after that win.

Following the Montes fight, McMillen publicly called for a Mexican opponent for Noche UFC, an event that traditionally draws a large Mexican fan base. That wish was only partly granted — Rahiki, who is Moroccan-born, was booked instead — though McMillen says he's satisfied with the matchup. According to azcentral.com, the two fighters were also involved in a scuffle after Noche UFC media day interviews in Phoenix.

Analyst's take

Former UFC bantamweight champion and analyst Dominick Cruz said both fighters rely more on offense than defense, predicting a striking-heavy fight in which each man may be willing to take a shot to land one. Cruz noted that promoters added a third bout to the card specifically because they expect this fight to draw as much attention as the main event.

Context

The Noche UFC card also features other Arizona-based fighters, including Dominican Republic heavyweight Waldo Cortes Acosta (17-3), a former pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization, who faces Curtis Blaydes. McMillen has built a reputation both for his aggressive fighting style and for a polarizing social media presence that draws both fans and critics.