Marwan Rahiki: Tommy McMillen's punching volume shows he lacks knockout power
· Yahoo Sports
Marwan
Rahiki believes Tommy
McMillen’s record-setting performance reflects a lack of
knockout power.
Rahiki (9-0) and McMillen (11-0) will put their undefeated records on the line at Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. In his last outing, McMillen set a new record for significant strikes in an Ultimate Fighting Championship three-round bout, but Rahiki is far from impressed.
Rahiki welcomed the matchup despite the relatively short turnaround. He’s 2-0 in the UFC and is excited at the prospect of fighting McMillen, who also has a ton of hype behind him.
“I was surprised, but at the same time, I'm not that surprised,” Rahiki told MMA Junkie. “This is the most exciting fight I've ever had. The first time I heard the name, I was like, 'Wow.' So happy -- I don't remember myself being so happy with a fight, with the opponent. I've always wanted to fight the best guys.”
McMillen earned his second bonus in the UFC for his last bout, in which he drowned Alberto Montes with strikes before finding a late finish in the third round, setting a new record. Rahiki, however, claims significant strike-based records aren’t statistics to be proud of.
“When someone breaks a significant strikes record, as I see it… Finish the fight in the first round,” Rahiki explained. “I don't care about significants. I never think, ‘I'm going to land the more significant strikes.’ That means you don't have knockout power. That means it takes you that long. It doesn't take me that long to finish and that's the goal this fight: Go in there to knock him out in the first round. Go in there to knock him out. If he comes forward, it will be done quick. If he stays smart, he might survive a couple of minutes. But the result will be the same.”
Rahiki also expects McMillen's aggressive style to make for an entertaining matchup.
“It's an entertaining fight, an entertaining style and someone who isn't just going to try to run away,” Rahiki added. “I think it will be a great night for Noche UFC.”
Rahiki (9-0) and McMillen (11-0) will put their undefeated records on the line at Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. In his last outing, McMillen set a new record for significant strikes in an Ultimate Fighting Championship three-round bout, but Rahiki is far from impressed.
Marwan Rahiki questions Tommy McMillen’s knockout power ahead of Noche UFC 4
Rahiki welcomed the matchup despite the relatively short turnaround. He’s 2-0 in the UFC and is excited at the prospect of fighting McMillen, who also has a ton of hype behind him.
“I was surprised, but at the same time, I'm not that surprised,” Rahiki told MMA Junkie. “This is the most exciting fight I've ever had. The first time I heard the name, I was like, 'Wow.' So happy -- I don't remember myself being so happy with a fight, with the opponent. I've always wanted to fight the best guys.”
McMillen earned his second bonus in the UFC for his last bout, in which he drowned Alberto Montes with strikes before finding a late finish in the third round, setting a new record. Rahiki, however, claims significant strike-based records aren’t statistics to be proud of.
“When someone breaks a significant strikes record, as I see it… Finish the fight in the first round,” Rahiki explained. “I don't care about significants. I never think, ‘I'm going to land the more significant strikes.’ That means you don't have knockout power. That means it takes you that long. It doesn't take me that long to finish and that's the goal this fight: Go in there to knock him out in the first round. Go in there to knock him out. If he comes forward, it will be done quick. If he stays smart, he might survive a couple of minutes. But the result will be the same.”
Rahiki also expects McMillen's aggressive style to make for an entertaining matchup.
“It's an entertaining fight, an entertaining style and someone who isn't just going to try to run away,” Rahiki added. “I think it will be a great night for Noche UFC.”
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