Aaron Tau is a New Zealand professional mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division. He is known by the nickname “Tauzemup” and is associated with City Kickboxing in Auckland, one of the region’s most successful MMA training centers.
He gained wider attention through his participation in Dana White’s Contender Series and Road to UFC Season 4, where he advanced to the tournament final. This profile covers his background, career progression, and publicly available personal information.
Family Background and Early Life
Aaron Tau was born on August 21, 1993, making him 32 years old as of January 2026. He competes as a flyweight fighter despite being older than many fighters entering the UFC system.
Tau is from Rāhiri, a small township in the Northland region of New Zealand. He has spoken publicly about being raised with strong Māori cultural values, crediting his grandparents with shaping his mindset and approach to life.
He left home as a teenager, moving to Australia at age 15. This early relocation shaped much of his development both personally and athletically. Specific details about his parents or immediate family have not been widely publicized.
Tau has discussed in interviews his deep connection to his cultural roots and his desire to represent te ao Māori (the Māori world) in mixed martial arts. He received his mataora (traditional Māori facial tattoo) in Kaitāia, surrounded by whānau (family) and friends, in a ceremony reported by media in 2023.
Education and Early Interests
Before discovering combat sports, Tau played rugby league. According to his own accounts, a rugby league coach recognized his physicality and competitive nature and steered him toward fighting sports.
He began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu after moving to Australia at 15, entering MMA through grappling rather than the more common striking pathway. This grappling foundation influenced his fighting style and early career development.
Details about his formal education have not been publicly disclosed. His focus from his mid-teens onward appears to have centered primarily on combat sports training and competition.
Career and Professional Work
Tau made his professional MMA debut in Auckland in 2019 after competing in amateur bouts. He built his record primarily through regional promotions in New Zealand and Australia, accumulating an 11-1 professional record.
His most significant career opportunity came through Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 6, where he fought Elijah Smith. He lost that fight by unanimous decision, which prevented him from earning an immediate UFC contract.
Rather than stepping away from the sport after that setback, he entered Road to UFC Season 4 in 2025. According to his Sherdog profile, he advanced through multiple rounds of the tournament.
He defeated Rio Tirto in the quarter-finals and Shuai Yin in the semi-finals, earning his place in the Road to UFC Flyweight final. He later reached the Road to UFC flyweight final, though circumstances around the bout affected the outcome.
However, recent reports indicate he missed weight at the official weigh-in, causing the fight to be removed from the UFC 325 card. This development occurred just hours before this profile was compiled.
Of his 11 professional wins, 7 have come by knockout or technical knockout, 1 by submission, and 3 by decision. His lone loss came by decision in the Contender Series bout.
Public Presence and Recognition
Tau is associated with City Kickboxing, the Auckland-based gym that has produced multiple UFC champions and contenders including Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski, and Dan Hooker. Head coach Eugene Bareman has spoken publicly about the significance of Tau’s opportunities.
His nickname “Tauzemup” has become recognizable among MMA fans in the Asia-Pacific region.
Beyond his fight record, Tau has drawn attention for his openness about cultural identity and long-term aspirations. He has stated publicly that his post-fighting goals include returning to Rāhiri, building a house, and spending time hunting, eeling, fishing, and diving with family while contributing to his local marae (Māori community center).
Personal Life and Relationships
Tau has not publicly disclosed information about romantic relationships or marital status. His public statements focus primarily on family connections to his grandparents, whānau, and community in Rāhiri rather than on personal romantic life.
He has spoken about the importance of his cultural identity and maintaining connections to his hometown despite living abroad for extended periods. He described his wairua (spirit) as yearning for New Zealand after long stretches in Australia.
Physical Appearance
According to his official ufc profile, Tau stands 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and competes at 125 pounds in the flyweight division.
He is a switch-stance fighter, meaning he can fight effectively from both orthodox and southpaw stances. He wears a mataora, a traditional Māori facial tattoo that holds cultural and spiritual significance.
Ethnicity and Religion
Tau is Māori, and his cultural identity plays a central role in his public persona. He has spoken extensively about bringing Māori values into how he approaches the sport and represents his community.
He has not publicly discussed religious beliefs in major interviews or verified media appearances. His public statements focus more on cultural values, family, and community rather than specific religious affiliation.
Social Media and Online Activity
Tau maintains a presence on social media, though specific platform details and follower counts have not been emphasized in his media coverage. UFC promotional materials and regional MMA media outlets feature him regularly during fight camps.
His connection to City Kickboxing means he occasionally appears in content featuring other fighters from that gym, including training footage and promotional videos released by the UFC and affiliated media partners.
Net Worth and Earnings
Tau’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As a fighter competing primarily on the regional circuit and in UFC developmental programs like Road to UFC, his career earnings are significantly lower than established UFC roster fighters.
Fighters on Road to UFC compete for contract opportunities rather than the substantial purses paid to UFC main roster athletes. Prize money for winning the Road to UFC tournament and earning a UFC contract provides a pathway to larger earnings, though exact figures for tournament payouts are not publicly released by the UFC.
Regional MMA fighters typically earn modest purses ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands depending on the promotion and their status within that organization. Without UFC main roster fights on his record, his career earnings likely remain in the low to mid five figures at most.
It’s important to note that MMA fighters at this career stage often support themselves through additional work, sponsorships, or coaching while building toward UFC-level opportunities.
Additional Public Facts
Tau has publicly stated that his motivation extends beyond personal achievement to representing his community and culture on the sport’s biggest stage. This perspective shapes how he approaches both victories and setbacks.
His journey includes navigating the challenge of being an older fighter (32) entering the UFC system, where many fighters debut in their early to mid-twenties. This age factor creates additional pressure to capitalize on opportunities quickly.
The weight miss at UFC 325 represents a significant setback, as missing weight in a contract-earning situation can impact future opportunities within the UFC system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Aaron Tau?
Aaron Tau is 32 years old, born on August 21, 1993. He is older than many fighters entering the UFC system, as most debut in their early to mid-twenties.
Where is Aaron Tau from?
He is from Rāhiri in the Northland region of New Zealand. He moved to Australia at age 15 but has maintained strong cultural and family connections to his hometown and Māori heritage.
Is He married?
There is no publicly available information about his marital status or romantic relationships. He has not discussed this aspect of his personal life in verified interviews or media appearances.
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