Picture through Jhon Tacha/Empire Sports activities Advertising and marketing
Report: 10-2
Age: 27
Weight class: Bantamweight
Top: 5’10”
Birthplace: Bogata, Colombia
Subsequent Struggle: Saturday vs. Ronald Vasquez (4-2) at Empire MMA 5 in Medellin, Colombia (Free video stream on Sunday)
Background: There have solely been three Colombia-born fighters in UFC historical past, and budding Colombian Jhon Tacha is fortunate sufficient to have brushed shoulders with one, Fredy Serrano, who he calls his “sports activities father,” early on in his profession. Because the Colombian regional scene continues to develop, so has Tacha’s expertise. He’s taken on each problem out there and has hung out coaching beneath coach Eric Albarracin and alongside the Pitbull Brothers in Brazil. In 10 professional wins, Tacha has seven finishes together with six knockouts and one submission.
The thin: A 5’10” bantamweight, Tacha has utilized slick hanging and his Serrano-engrained wrestling to spherical out his assault. Getting beauty from throughout South America can be enormous for his improvement. Albarracin and the Freires are A-list mentors for a teen like Tacha. The UFC continues its efforts to highlight and signal Latin American fighters – and the area as a complete has taken full benefit of their earned alternatives. Colombia may use one other consultant within the huge present, as there will not be at the moment any on the roster. Tacha may change that in 2023, particularly if he pockets the Empire MMA strap.
In his personal phrases: “Bodily, I really feel like I’ve been working my life complete life for this chance. Working within the mountains and constructing my endurance within the altitude, I’m high degree. Mentally, I’m sharp. I’ve drawn nice expertise with my mentor previously of the UFC, a bonus above most different Latin Individuals and South Individuals. I really feel I can deal with the transfer to the following degree simply. That’s a significant benefit for me. My wrestling base is best than 80 p.c than Latin Individuals.”
“… This weekend is an enormous weekend for me. It’s one other step within the course of. I really feel like I’m prepared or very near it. Earlier than my final struggle, I did a camp in Brazil the place I labored with the Pitbull Brothers and Eric Albarracin. A whole lot of the fighters there in camp have all fought in excessive ranges of Bellator, PFL, ONE Championship, and UFC, and I did very properly in opposition to them. I really feel assured I’m prepared for the following degree and that I can do a very good job. I additionally belief that my coaches and administration will get me there.”
“… I’ve all the time needed to be within the UFC. It’s my greatest dream. However to not solely be within the UFC, I need to be within the UFC, get within the high 10, struggle for a title, and signify Colombia. I’m simply not proud of merely getting right here. It could be an enormous honor and dream to signify my nation in being the fourth UFC fighter from Colombian, however I don’t need to simply get in. I need to win.”
This interview was carried out utilizing a Spanish-language interpreter.
