Marwan Rahiki vs Harry Hardwick Prediction: Can Rahiki Keep Undefeated Streak Alive In UFC Debut?
Updated March 13, 2026
Updated March 13, 2026
This Saturday, featherweights Marwan Rahiki and Harry Hardwick collide on the UFC Vegas 114 card at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Rahiki enters the Octagon as a youthful striker with an unbeaten professional MMA record and plenty of momentum coming off a dominating performance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Hardwick, a seasoned veteran with a varied skill set and Cage Warriors titles on his résumé, represents a stern test for the 23‑year‑old prospect. Before this fight takes place, you will find my Marwan Rahiki vs Harry Hardwick prediction ahead of this Fight Night matchup.
Marwan Rahiki | Harry Hardwick | |
|---|---|---|
Age | 23 | 31 |
Height | 5’10” | 5’10” |
Reach | 72” | 71” |
Stance | Orthodox | Switch |
Record | 7‑0‑0 | 13‑4‑1 |
Marwan “Freaky” Rahiki is a young, explosive featherweight from Australia who has quickly built a reputation as a knockout artist. Standing 5’10” with a 72‑inch reach, Rahiki leverages his tools with aggressive striking and crisp combinations. His perfect professional record of 7‑0 includes an exceptionally high finishing rate, with six knockouts and one submission on his résumé, underscoring the danger he presents inside the distance. His most recent outing on Dana White’s Contender Series showcased his ability to mix power strikes with dynamic attack patterns, earning him a UFC contract and establishing him as one of the most intriguing prospects in the division.
Harry “Houdini” Hardwick, by contrast, brings veteran savvy into this matchup. At 31, Hardwick has logged 18 professional fights and held titles on the regional scene, including Cage Warriors gold. He possesses a well‑rounded game with a switch stance that can cause unorthodox looks for opponents. His resume shows a blend of knockout power, submissions, and decisions, although his UFC debut didn’t go as planned when he suffered a TKO loss in his first promotional outing. Hardwick’s experience against varied opposition could be advantageous against a less seasoned foe, though his recent struggles have opened the door for an ascending talent like Rahiki to take control early.
Stylistically, Rahiki’s volume striking and finishing aggression should pose immediate problems for Hardwick’s defense. Hardwick will need to employ smart movement and tactical decision‑making, potentially slowing the pace and looking to exploit any openings in Rahiki’s attack. If Hardwick can drag the fight into later rounds and avoid early damage, he might be able to grind out a decision, but Rahiki’s offense is built for quick, violent outcomes.
This fight should result in a stylistic advantage for Rahiki, whose striking output and finishing instincts should overwhelm Hardwick before the championship rounds. Hardwick’s experience helps him avoid getting finished immediately, but Rahiki’s reach advantage and knockout power give him a clear pathway to victory. Hardwick’s best bet lies in weathering the early storm and exploiting potential mistakes from Rahiki late, but the safer play aligns with the younger fighter getting a win here.
From a betting standpoint, I think the best move is to take Rahiki to win by knockout. I expect that to happen in the second round, but I'm content with backing the Aussie to win by KO without having to put any further risk on betting on a specific round for him to get the job done.
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