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Light Heavyweight Division

Not Fighting

"The Ripper"

Zac Pauga

Light Heavyweight Division

7-3-0 (W-L-D)

2

Wins by Knockout

1

First Round Finishes

Zac Pauga

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Zac Pauga's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Not Fighting
Place of Birth
Denver, United States
Trains at
Elevation Fight Team - Denver, CO
Fighting style
MMA
Age
35
Height
74.00
Weight
206.00
Octagon Debut
Aug. 6, 2022
Reach
76.00
Leg reach
41.00
  • Team Pena on TUF 30

     
  • Pro since 2020

     
  • Two wins by KO

     
  • One first-round finish

     
  • Last pre-TUF bout was October 2021 win over UFC vet Markus Perez

UFC Fight Night (2/10/24) Pauga was stopped by Bogdan Guskov via strikes at 3:38 of the first round 

UFC on ESPN (6/17/23) Pauga lost a three round unanimous decision to Modestas Bukauskas

UFC Fight Night (2/18/23) Pauga won a three round unanimous decision over Jordan Wright 

UFC on ESPN (8/6/22) Pauga was knocked out by Mohammed Usman at :36 of the second round in the TUF 30 heavyweight final

 

The Ultimate Fighter, Season 30

In the semifinals, Pauga stopped Jordan Heiderman via strikes at :30 of the second round

In the quarterfinals, Pauga won a two-round unanimous decision over Nyle Bartling

When and why did you start training for fighting? Other than my obsession with 90s karate films and pro wrestling, I was working as a patrol officer and wanted to improve my ability to defend myself. I was training with Curtis Blaydes and Alistair Overeem and was having a lot of success in practice, so I decided I might as well make some money if I’m going to fight guys as good as them.



What ranks and titles have you held? BJJ purple belt



Do you have any heroes? My Dad is a Samoan immigrant and was able to raise and provide for three kids while learning to speak English, that is an inspiration to me.



Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Colorado State University - Sociology



What was your job before you started fighting? Fullback for the Houston Texans, Loose Forward for the Denver Stampede/ Glendale Raptors, Patrol Officer for the City of Wheat Ridge, Senior Criminal Investigator for the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Personal Trainer at Vital Training Systems.