Tommy McMillen Survives Knockdown, Wants Killers Next

Tommy McMillen survived a brutal second-round knockdown to outwork Marwan Rahiki over three rounds and pick up a unanimous decision win at Noche UFC 4, then used his post-fight interview to demand tougher opposition instead of an easy stay-busy fight.

The featherweight prospect improved to 3-0 in the UFC and 12-0 overall on Saturday night at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, but his unbeaten record nearly ended in front of the hometown crowd. Rahiki landed a massive shot that dropped McMillen and followed up with knees as McMillen fought just to get back to his feet. McMillen weathered it, came out for the third round, dropped Rahiki himself, hunted a submission and pushed the pace until the scorecards were read in his favor.

The fight was named "Fight of the Night," handing McMillen his third straight $100,000 bonus and pushing his total bonus earnings to $300,000 in his first year on the UFC roster.

What Tommy McMillen Said After Surviving Marwan Rahiki

Tommy McMillen made clear the knockdown didn't rattle him, it fueled him. "I had the time of my life in there," McMillen said in his backstage interview. "I love digging deep. Those are the kinds of fights I want. I don't want to fight bums, easy fights. I like taking on killers with 100 percent finish rates and going in there and testing myself because the next time you see me, I'll be even better than the kid you saw tonight."

He went further, dismissing the idea that anyone can put him away. "You can't knock me out. You have to kill me. Bring a gun next time," McMillen said, adding that he considers himself "on a different level" and is "writing the script right now."

Why McMillen's Matchmaking Demand Matters

McMillen's request is unusually blunt for a fighter with a perfect record still worth protecting. Most 3-0 UFC prospects take at least one softer outing to build confidence after nearly getting finished. McMillen is asking for the opposite, telling the promotion to keep feeding him undefeated finishers rather than opponents with even records. He also said he wants to fight a fourth time in 2026, targeting a December return that would cap a year in which he went from newcomer to one of the promotion's most talked-about young featherweights.

Betting Angle

Fighters who survive a firefight like this one tend to see their stock rise even faster than a clean finish would have produced, because bettors and matchmakers now know McMillen has a chin and a gas tank to match his power. That makes him a live betting name in 2026 talk, especially if the UFC grants the quick December turnaround he's asking for. The flip side for bettors is durability risk. McMillen has now been hurt badly once in three UFC fights, and any future opponent with real pop is going to look at that second round as the blueprint. Books will likely still favor him against ranked featherweight comers given his finishing instincts and recovery instincts, but expect his ability to take a clean shot to factor into line movement any time he's booked against a legitimate puncher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Tommy McMillen fight at Noche UFC 4?

Tommy McMillen fought Marwan Rahiki at Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12, 2026, winning by unanimous decision to improve to 3-0 in the UFC and 12-0 overall.

Did Tommy McMillen get knocked down against Marwan Rahiki?

Yes, Tommy McMillen was dropped by a big punch from Marwan Rahiki in the second round and survived a knee assault before rallying to win the fight.

How much bonus money has Tommy McMillen earned in the UFC?

Tommy McMillen has earned $300,000 in UFC bonuses after his win over Marwan Rahiki marked his third consecutive $100,000 Fight of the Night award.