Manny Tapia

Manuel Alcaraz Tapia (born March 14, 1981) is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter currently competing in the Bantamweight division. He has formerly competed for the WEC, King of the Cage, and Tachi Palace Fights. He is the former King of the Cage Flyweight Champion.

Background
Tapia is from Riverside, California. After the death of his parents, Tapia used football, judo, and wrestling as outlets for his anger. He attended Don Lugo High School in Chino, California and Chaffey College. Tapia was originally introduced to mixed martial arts a year out of high school.

Early career
Tapia made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2003 for King of the Cage and compiled a record of 4-0-1 before winning the King of the Cage Flyweight Championship. He later signed with the WEC and was stripped of his title.

World Extreme Cagefighting
Tapia made his WEC debut at WEC 27 on May 12, 2007, in a Featherweight bout against Brandon Foxworth and won via TKO in the second round.

Tapia then fought at WEC 32 on February 13, 2008, against Antonio Banuelos and won via split decision. This brought Tapia's career record to 10-0-1.

At WEC 37, Tapia suffered a second-round TKO loss in a title fight with the WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres and lost via unanimous decision to Akitoshi Tamura at WEC 40. Tapia then fought Eddie Wineland on October 10, 2009, on the undercard at WEC 43, losing via unanimous decision.

Tapia was then released from the WEC after this loss and it was announced on November 17, 2009, that he has signed with Tachi Palace Fights. He debuted on their February 4 event in Lemoore, California, facing current UFC fighter Michael McDonald and lost via TKO in the first round.

Personal life
Aside from fighting, Tapia currently works in Law Enforcement.

Championships and accomplishments

 * King of the Cage
 * KOTC Flyweight Championship (One time)