Marwan Rahiki has big aspiration for his UFC career. |
Getty/UFC
Marwan
Rahiki wants to go out without a blemish on his
record.
Rahiki (8-0) made his UFC debut in a featherweight matchup against
Harry
Hardwick at
UFC Vegas 114 on Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas. Rahiki
connected flush and landed significant damage on Hardwick, who
showed extreme grit in refusing to go down. However, Hardwick had
sustained visible damage to his jaw and started keeping his mouth
wide open in the second round. Hardwick’s corner threw in the towel
at the end of the second round after the Englishman informed them
that he had a broken jaw.
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Rahiki was unable to knock his opponent out clean despite his best
efforts. “Freaky” saw that his opponent was physically well
prepared, judging by the veins in his chest and shoulders. The
undefeated Moroccan-Australian believes all of his opponents
prepare extra hard to fight him and come in much better than in
their previous outings.
“He came in hot too,” Rahiki t told the UFC. “He looked prepared. I saw veins in his
shoulders and in his chest. Every time I’m fighting, these guys,
they train so hard to fight me. So it’s crazy, I appreciate that
from all my opponents. Every time they come in so much better than
the fight they had before. So I’m blessed.”
Hardwick (13-5) made his UFC debut on short-notice last year
against Kaue
Fernandes, where he suffered a stoppage loss via leg kicks.
Coming for Everything
Rahiki believes he put the featherweight division on notice with
his debut on Saturday. Rahiki says that he is here to take over the
division and not merely be a journeyman. The 23-year-old prospect
wants to maintain his perfect record and retire undefeated.
“I just put them all on notice,” Rahiki said. “Know that I’m coming
and I’m young and I’m hungry. And I’m coming for everything, all
the bonuses, all the money, all the belts, that’s what I’m here
for. I’m not here to just have ups and downs. I’m here to take over
and get out of here with no losses.”