Harry Hardwick is preparing to fight again in the Octagon as he seeks to overturn the criticism he faced following his difficult first UFC match. The 31-year-old fighter will step in at UFC Vegas 114 on March 14 at the UFC’s in-house venue to face Marwan Rahiki, offering him a crucial chance at redemption after his showdown last September in Paris.
Hardwick’s debut was a painful experience. Called in on short notice to replace Fares Ziam, he faced Kaue Fernandes, whose powerful leg kicks brought Hardwick to a wheelchair by the end of the first round. This brutal loss sparked harsh comments from MMA veteran Cub Swanson, who questioned whether Hardwick might be the weakest competitor currently contracted by the UFC.
Before his UFC entry, Hardwick was undefeated in nine fights and held the Cage Warriors featherweight title twice, a belt once held by stars like Conor McGregor and Paddy Pimblett. Now, the Middlesbrough native aims to prove that he belongs among the sport’s elite on UFC’s platform.
Emerging opponent Marwan Rahiki brings unbeaten momentum
Hardwick’s upcoming adversary, Marwan Rahiki, is a young and undefeated fighter at 7-0. Rahiki impressed many during Dana White’s Contender Series, securing a UFC contract by finishing Ananias Mulumba convincingly in the second round. The bout presents a significant test for both men as Rahiki looks to build early UFC success while Hardwick seeks to revive his career.
It’s a European takeover at #UFCVegas114 🇪🇺🏴 Lone’er Kavanagh vs Bruno Silva 🇧🇷🏴 Harry Hardwick vs Marwan Rahiki 🇲🇦🇲🇩 Ion Cutelaba vs Oumar Sy 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/jDtsNn5AsO
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope)
UFC Vegas 114 event shaping up amid lack of confirmed headliner
Despite no official main event announcement for UFC Vegas 114 yet, several matchups have been reported, giving fans a glimpse of the card scheduled for March 14. While UFC has not confirmed all fights, the proposed lineup includes bouts across multiple weight classes, highlighting a diverse range of competition.
- Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs Gillian Robertson
- Bantamweight: Beatriz Mesquita vs Montserrat Rendon
- Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh vs Bruno Gustavo da Silva
- Bantamweight: You Su-young vs Elijah Smith
- Middleweight: Brad Tavares vs Eryk Anders
- Light heavyweight: Oumar Sy vs Ion Cutelaba
- Heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Vitor Petrino
This growing card will take place only weeks after UFC’s February 7 event at the Meta Apex, marking the promotion’s first outing at the newly named venue in 2026. The back-to-back numbered events signal a busy early year for the UFC as it builds momentum in a competitive MMA calendar.
What Hardwick’s comeback means for his UFC future
Hardwick’s return fight carries significant weight for his career trajectory. After a debut that left him heavily doubted, this redemption opportunity will reveal whether the Middlesbrough fighter can overcome the rocky start and justify his place on the UFC roster. Success at UFC Vegas 114 could silence many critics and set the stage for more bouts inside the Octagon.
For the UFC, bringing back a fighter who experienced such a brutal introduction presents both risk and reward. It highlights the promotion’s willingness to give fighters a second chance, even under challenging circumstances. How Hardwick performs might influence roster decisions and the perception of talent depth in the featherweight division.
Meanwhile, fans await the announcement of a main event and the final card details, with anticipation surrounding emerging talents and established names alike. UFC Vegas 114 could play a pivotal role in shaping contender rankings and narratives as the promotion advances through 2026’s fight schedule.
It's a European takeover at #UFCVegas114 🇪🇺
🏴 Lone'er Kavanagh vs Bruno Silva 🇧🇷
🏴 Harry Hardwick vs Marwan Rahiki 🇲🇦
🇲🇩 Ion Cutelaba vs Oumar Sy 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/jDtsNn5AsO— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 15, 2026
