Manny Tapia

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2 King of the Cage
3 WEC
4 Mixed martial arts record
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Profile

Manny "The Mangler" Tapia (born March 14, 1981) is an Mexican American professional mixed martial artist and former King of the Cage Flyweight (135 lbs.) Champion.

He stands 5 ft. 5 in. (165 cm) tall and fights in the bantamweight division (135 lbs.).

Tapia is a former WEC Bantamweight Title challenger and currently fights as a bantamweight for World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).

King of the Cage

Manny Tapia made his professional mixed martial arts debut on December 6, 2003 for the King of the Cage promotion. He got his career off to a positive start as he submitted Manuel Sawyze with a rear naked choke in just 2:07 of round 1.

After a draw with Chad Washburn at KOTC 33, Tapia rolled off three victories in King of the Cage that earned him a shot at the flyweight (135 lbs.) title.

Tapia faced Gregory Vivian for the title and claimed the belt in impressive fashion as he submitted him with an arm triangle choke in just 4:25 of round 1.

By the end of 2006, Tapia was still undefeated and had defended his KOTC belt three times.

WEC

In 2007, Torres decided to leave KOTC in favor of the now ZUFFA owned and operated, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC). He made his WEC debut at WEC 27 against submission specialist, Brandon Foxworth. Tapia dominated Foxworth and stopped him with punches midway through the second round.

At WEC 32, Tapia faced Antonio Banuelos in a number one contender bout for the bantamweight (135 lbs.) title. After three rounds, Tapia came out on top via split decision to cement his title shot.

He would get his chance at the championship at WEC 37 when he faced champion, Miguel Torres. Torres was all over Tapia as he dominated with strikes on the feet and midway through the second round he dropped Tapia hard and evenutally forced the stoppage to mark the first loss on "The Mangler"'s career.

In his first bout for 2009, Tapia faced former Shooto lightweight champion, Akitoshi Tamura and was defeated for a second time as Tamura controlled the bout over the three rounds to earn the unanimous decision.

Tapia will return at WEC 43 when he faces former WEC bantamweight champion, Eddie Wineland.

Mixed martial arts record

**Professional Breakdown**
13 matches	10 wins	2 losses
By knockout	4	1
By submission	2	0
By decision	4	1
Draws	1

Record

Result	Opponent	Method	Event Title	Date	Round	Time	Notes
Loss	Akitoshi Tamura	Decision (Unanimous)	WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki	4/05/2009	3	5:00	-
Loss	Miguel Torres	TKO (Punches and Elbows)	WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia	12/03/2008	2	3:04	For WEC Bantamweight Championship
Win	Antonio Banuelos	Decision (Split)	WEC 32: Condit vs. Prater	2/13/2008	3	5:00	-
Win	Brandon Foxworth	TKO (Punches)	WEC 27: Marshall vs. McElfresh	5/12/2007	2	3:17	WEC Debut
Win	Richard Montano	TKO (Punches)	KOTC: Destroyer	12/01/2006	3	3:24	Defended King of the Cage Flyweight (135 lbs.) Championship
Win	Shad Smith	Decision (Unanimous)	KOTC: Rapid Fire	8/04/2006	2	5:00	Defended King of the Cage Flyweight (135 lbs.) Championship
Win	Ed Newalu	Decision (Unanimous)	KOTC: Final Conflict	12/02/2005	3	5:00	Defended King of the Cage Flyweight (135 lbs.) Championship
Win	Gregory Vivian	Submission (Arm Triangle Choke)	KOTC: Prime Time	8/05/2005	1	4:25	Won King of the Cage Flyweight (135 lbs.) Championship
Win	Richard Goodman	TKO (Punches)	KOTC: Mortal Sins	5/07/2005	2	2:07	-
Win	Ed Newalu	Decision (Unanimous)	KOTC: San Jacinto	9/24/2004	2	5:00	-
Win	Michael Welty	KO (Punch)	KOTC 36: Unfinished Business	6/12/2004	1	0:07	-
Draw	Chad Washburn	Draw	KOTC 33: After Shock	2/20/2004	2	5:00	-
Win	Manuel Sawyze	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	KOTC 31: King of the Cage 31	12/06/2003	1	2:07	-