Harry Hardwick’s UFC debut in September 2025 at UFC Paris was a challenging start to his promotional career, ending in a first-round stoppage by the formidable Kaue Fernandes. This performance drew significant criticism and online trolling, with some fans deeming it one of the worst in UFC history. Even seasoned UFC veteran Cub Swanson publicly questioned Hardwick’s fighting capabilities after witnessing the Paris bout.
Despite the backlash, Hardwick has remained unfazed by his detractors. In a recent interview, he shared his thoughts on that pivotal night in Paris and his impending clash with Marwan Rahiki, scheduled for March 14th.
Reflecting on his debut, Hardwick acknowledged the heightened stakes for his upcoming fight. He stated, “I was confident going into that UFC debut, convinced I would win, but it was a very peculiar situation, taking a UFC fight on just a week’s notice. For this upcoming fight, however, I’ve had an outstanding training camp!” He added, “This is a cutthroat industry; if I don’t deliver, I could lose my spot. But I’m accustomed to pressure, having handled it extensively with Cage Warriors title fights and headlining events; pressure is part of the norm for me.”
His opponent, Marwan Rahiki, enters the fight with an impressive 7-0 professional record. Hardwick spoke highly of Rahiki, commenting, “I believe Rahiki is an excellent opponent; he comes to fight, and his aggression, while almost excessive, is both his greatest strength and his greatest vulnerability.”
Hardwick believes he has identified weaknesses in Rahiki’s fighting style and has developed a precise game plan for Saturday. He elaborated, “Without revealing too much, I think his previous opponents have either been too cautious or got too overwhelmed. I believe I can exploit his weaknesses, and I possess the discipline to maintain the correct fight strategy.”
In stark contrast to his debut, where he had fewer than five days to prepare, Hardwick has benefited from a comprehensive training camp this time, making the most of the extended preparation period.
Three weeks prior to his fight, Harry traveled to Las Vegas alongside his brother, George Hardwick, a former Cage Warriors lightweight champion, and Leon Armes, a Cage Warriors featherweight contender. The trio has been thoroughly enjoying their time in Vegas, training at the prestigious UFC Performance Institute and collaborating with fellow North East fighter Davey Grant at Syndicate MMA.
Hardwick expressed considerable appreciation for Grant and their training experience: “Davey has been superb; he’s really looked after us, and it’s been fantastic. This camp has been far less chaotic.” He continued, “Everything is falling into place and feels right. I was just thinking the other day about being in Vegas; I’ve been here five times longer than I had notice for my last fight.”
With significant pressure weighing on him, many will be eagerly watching Hardwick’s performance on Saturday, keen to see if he can silence his critics and secure his inaugural UFC victory.