UFC Fight Night (3/13/21) Haqparast won a three round unanimous decision over Rafa Garcia
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started MMA when I was 14 years old. I was really overweight and my parents worried about that. So they sent me to a kickboxing class. I arrived too early to the class and I watched the adults doing MMA through a window. I was amazed by this sport. I was so surprised and asked myself how they're doing such a tough sport. It was their sparring day and they sparred with 4oz gloves. Only big, shredded, tattooed men who "fought" with small gloves. I knew then that I want to become that kind of a fighter.
TRAINING : Training 7 days a week at City Kickboxing. Equal mix of striking, wrestling and BJJ.
When and why did you start training for fighting? After watching a friend level some guy and the crowd went nuts. I love the sport and training, but I got into this game to compete and be the best.
What ranks and titles have you held? Australian Fighting Championship LW Title, Supremacy New Zealand LW Champion, King In The Ring Middleweight Kickboxing Champion, WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Champion, BJJ blue belt
Do you have any heroes? NZ’s greatest champions, guys like Mark Hunt, Jason Suttie, Jordan Tai, my coach Aaron Boyes.g.
What was your job before you started fighting? Doorman in Auckland CBD
Favorite Striking technique: Body Shots
Do you have any heroes? NZ’s greatest champions, guys like Mark Hunt, Jason Suttie, Jordan Tai, my coach Aaron Boyes.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To be fighting in the UFC means everything.