Tommy McMillen’s undefeated record is still perfect after Noche UFC, but man, did he have to earn it against Marwan Rahiki. This fight between two prospects was hyped as the most anticipated on the entire card, and let me tell you, it blew past even the loftiest expectations.
The Second Round That Almost Ended It All
Rahiki showed everyone why he was undefeated too, absolutely unleashing chaos in the second round. After a competitive first, Rahiki blasted McMillen with an uppercut that felt like it came straight from Earth’s core. Seriously, McMillen was struggling just to keep his balance after that shot. Rahiki poured everything he had into trying to get the finish, just rattling McMillen with combination punches and brutal knees to the skull. It felt like the fight was about to be over, but somehow, McMillen not only survived that onslaught, he *smiled through it*. That’s the kind of crazy resilience you rarely see! By the time the buzzer screamed, McMillen had fought back enough to avoid giving Rahiki a 10-8 round. His corner had to be wondering what in the world they were seeing.
Unleashing the “GTA” Gangster
Between rounds, McMillen’s corner knew what they needed, asking him to unleash the biggest gangster he could possibly be. His coach, Tim Welch, who trains Sean O’Malley, explicitly demanded that gangster mentality in Round 3. And McMillen? He totally obliged. He started the third round by knocking down Rahiki and then ragdolling him in the grappling exchanges. Rahiki’s submission defense somehow held up, showing his own incredible resilience, but McMillen’s dominance in that third round was undeniable, securing a 10-8 on one judge’s scorecard. When the final scores came in 29-28, 29-28, and 29-27 in McMillen’s favor, the arena in Glendale, Arizona erupted. This kid lives by his own words, too. Before the fight, he told CBS Sports, “I feel like I’m a real-life ‘Grand Theft Auto’ character. I go on these heists for the UFC. I go cash bonuses, I go upgrade my car, I go upgrade my clothes, and upgrade my crib. I’m living life like a video game. I’m Player 1, and it’s my time.” After the fight, microphone in hand, he roared, “I’m a West Side gangster motherf—ers! I knew I could outdog him.” Talk about backing up the talk!
What Comes Next for These Two Wild Prospects
Look, both McMillen and Rahiki clearly showed some defensive lapses, but that’s what often makes for such an exciting fight. What they *did* show was incredible determination and skill, especially for two fighters under 30. You know these two are going to meet again down the line. When they do, expect even more to be at stake. Get ready, because these young guns are just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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