March 21, 2024
Kickboxing whānau thing says Tau
Māori mixed martial artist Aaron Tau says he wants to change the perception of combat sports.
The undefeated Ngāpuhi fighter will fight in a hybrid of kickboxing, MMA and Muay Thai fight against Cody Sione in the Hirepool Arsenal X show at North Shore’s Eventfinda stadium.
He says there are six Ngāpuhi on the card, which is a sign of how martial arts can give whānaunga an outlet to provide for their whanau.
“There is good that could come of it. Obviously, when I was a kid growing up it was a real negative connotation, a real bad stigma about being a fighter. But now obviously, we can make decent money, we can use these skills and this āhua to create success,” Tau says.
Aaron Tau trains at globally recognised gym City Kickboxing with the likes of UFC fighters Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker and Ngāti Kahungunu fighter Kai Kara-France.