Full Name:

Tasar Malone

Age:

27

Where were you born:

At Pindara hospital, here on the beautiful Gold Coast

Where do you live:

I feel like the whole world is my home, and I’m happy living anywhere along the road less travelled.

Which gym do you train out of:

CMBT Training Centre

Who are your coaches:

Miles Muecke Jesse Yada Brentin Mumford James Sargison Glenn Sparv Sam Fiamatai Jason Powell Rhys Giles

What belts or rankings do you currently posses as a martial artist:

I’ve got a purple belt in Brazilian jujitsu

What sports or activities did you participate in growing up:

I grew up mainly on acreage property at Binna Burra in the Gold Coast hinterland, which meant endless days of climbing trees, riding motorbikes, exploring the rainforests all around us, and hanging out with my four brothers and sisters and all our friends. Such a great start to life. Sport was always number one for me and I liked pretty much any sport going, I mainly did Soccer and Athletics growing up. I did a little bit of AFL in my mid-teens, and then started just doing a lot of running and training stuff on my own until finally I discovered mixed martial arts and I haven’t looked back since. I love it.

When did you begin to take MMA seriously as a hobby and then as a potential profession:

I guess I started doing a bit of fighting stuff around five years ago, and I was hooked pretty much straight away. About 4 1/2 years ago, I decided I wanted to take it seriously, and started doing amateur fights. I had my first pro debut fight in March this year.

Favourite aspect of training or favourite session of the week, and why:

I really love training and hate missing any sessions. I guess I see every training session as an opportunity to improve what I’m doing, to push myself to my limits, and to find out what I am capable of. I think so many people go through life being scared of dong the hard stuff, or being challenged. But I honestly believe that it’s the hard stuff that helps you grow and develop and improve. I’m always looking to be better today than I was yesterday, and it’s only when we go through hard stuff that we can achieve that. My favourite sessions are the sparring sessions because I get to use all my tools or weapons.

What are your greatest strengths as an athlete or a fighter:

I guess my greatest strength, as an athlete has always been my determination, my belief in myself, and in the philosophy that if you just keep working hard, then the rewards will eventually come as long as you keep believing, they will come. I guess I am also fairly resilient, in that I’ll get knocked down, but I will always get up again, so that surprises some people. I also have an attitude where I really want to outwork everyone around me. Not like in a competitive way, but I just feel like I always want to be inspiring others to keep working hard, and the best way to do that is to be the one working the hardest. As far as actual physical attributes that make me successful in my fighting, I’d say it’s my balance and my cardio capacity.

How would you describe your fighting style:

I suppose I would describe my fighting style as being quite wild, action, packed, and unpredictable. I would never want to be a boring fighter who was just going through the motions. I feed of the crowds’ enthusiasm and excitement, and I want to give back to them by being an exciting fighter.

What is your favourite sport and why:

MMA, all the way, because I just think it’s the most challenging sport and I love that it’s all up to you. You either win or you lose so it’s all about making yourself the best you can be, and then backing yourself to achieve what you are trying to achieve. I also love motor racing, particularly bikes… And I have to say Hockey because my sisters play and I watch them a lot.

Who is your favourite athlete:

Well, I guess if we’re talking all athletes, then my favourite one would have to be my sister, Rosie Malone. She’s in the Hockeyroos, and she’s been to the Olympics, World Cups and the Comm Games and of course I love her, so I guess that makes her my favourite athlete.

Who is your favourite combat sports athlete:

But if we’re talking my favourite combat sport athlete, then it’s George Saint Pierre.

What are your immediate and long term goals:

This is probably a fairly predictable answer, but my short-term goal is just to win this fight. After each fight, I reassess and see what I can learn or do better. Then I set myself new goals. Obviously I wouldn’t be on this journey if I didn’t also have long-term goals to become an Australian champion and then a world champion. I know there are plenty of others with those same goals, and we can’t all get there. But I’m just staying strong in my belief that my determination and work ethic can help me be one of the lucky ones who do. On my general goals, I guess travelling the world is up there, along with having the financial freedom to help my parents, not have to worry about money ever again..

When fans see your name on a fight poster, what should they expect:

They should expect that if they come, they’re going to have a cracker of a night,. I love to entertain the crowd, as I said above… And I really feed off their energy and give it back to them 10 times. I try to be unpredictable and exciting, which is what they come to see. I guess also I would love it if I can inspire some of the people in the crowd to want to go out and test their own limits as well. I mean maybe they don’t necessarily want to get in a cage with someone, but just to get out in the world and unlock the potential their body has for achieving things physically.

How do you see your upcoming fight playing out:

Predicting how a fight will go is never easy, but we do the work and have a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition in the lead up. I can’t give away any clues about what we’re targeting, but I can say I’m planning to take my opponent into deep, deep waters and leave him there.

A final message to any friends, family and supporters:

I always tell my friends and family and other supporters that we are a team. It’s not just me out there. It’s everyone who has helped to get me there. I love them all and appreciate what they’ve done because without them I wouldn’t be there. We are in this together. I feel and I see all the love that they have for me. I bring them with me into the ring and I’m trying to do them proud.

Where will any fans or supporters be able to find you socials:

Instagram: @iamtasar