Kamaru Usman

Wrestling-based Nigerian-American who won UFC gold in 2019 and defended it five times before losing to Leon Edwards.

Kamarudeen Usman was born on 11 May 1987 in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria, and emigrated with his family to the United States at five, settling in Texas, where he became a standout wrestler at Bowie High School in Arlington, compiling a 53-3 senior-year record. Usman won the 2010 NCAA Division II national wrestling title at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and after narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 2012 Olympic team due to injury, transitioned to mixed martial arts, turning professional later that year. Usman, nicknamed "The Nigerian Nightmare," won the reality show The Ultimate Fighter in 2015, and developed into one of the most dominant welterweight champions in UFC history, winning the title in 2019 and defending it a division-record number of times, built around suffocating wrestling and increasingly polished striking. Usman lost his title to Leon Edwards in 2022, later moving up to challenge for the middleweight title against Dricus du Plessis in 2026. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest welterweights the sport has ever produced, and continues to compete at the highest level of the UFC.

Usman built his game around elite wrestling credentials, using relentless pressure and cage control to wear down opponents. He evolved from primarily a wrestler to a well-rounded fighter with dangerous striking power, particularly his jab and right hand. His exceptional cardio and ability to maintain a high pace for five rounds made him extremely difficult to deal with in championship fights.

Usman's reign established him as one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history and demonstrated the evolution possible in modern MMA. His dominance helped elevate the profile of African fighters in the sport.

• UFC Welterweight Champion 2019-2022
• first African UFC champion
• NCAA Division II wrestling champion 2010