The 29-year-old undefeated heavyweight only took up the sport last year after helping out a friend. Fellow Dunedin fighter Matt Toa needed a big body to spar against when he was training for a bout and Taia agreed to help out. At 105kg and 1.88m tall, he fitted the bill and has not looked back since.
"I was just a sparring partner for him and one thing led to another," Taia said.
"That nudged me towards the ring and since then I have had three fights."
Taia won two by decision and in his second fight his opponent tapped out in the first round. The fights have given him some confidence but done little for the nerves.
"It is always nerve-wracking," Taia said.
"Joe has a good reputation. He had a fight not long ago and won in the first minute, so I'm thinking he is going to come out hard and fast."
Taia was born in Invercargill and played rugby league from a young age. He moved to Dunedin about eight years ago and played for the Kia Toa Tigers in the centres and also represented Otago for four seasons.
He represented Otago at two national rugby league sevens tournaments and captained Otago for a season.
In mixed martial arts, fighters can kick, punch and wrestle with their opponent. Fights are won through knockout, decision or one of the fighters conceding, which is done by tapping the floor.
With Taia's background it is no surprise he likes to take his opponents to the ground and try and force them to submit. But he is also not afraid to mix it up and trade blows.
"I don't plan anything for the fights. I just see how it is going and make a plan from there. But I definitely like the ground and pound.
"It is just easier for me, because I'm such a big person, to lay on someone and try and finish it like that."
Taia had to lose about 3kg to get down to the fight weight. It did not prove too difficult but has involved sacrificing takeaways. But most of the weight fell off his generous frame with all the extra training. He started preparing for the fight in January.
Six kickboxing bouts and a boxing bout are also scheduled while Canterbury's Aaron Walton will fight Dunedin's Adam Johnson in the night's other mixed martial arts bout.
The Hammerhead club is staging the event. It is the club's second fight night and all 375 seats have been sold.
Organiser Howie Booth said Hammerhead had another event planned for October. Toa would fight in the main event but the club was still looking for a suitable opponent.
