Kamaru Usman
Nigerian-American mixed martial artist (born 1987)
Kamarudeen Usman [ 1] (born May 11, 1987) is a Nigerian-American[ 9] professional mixed martial artist , former freestyle wrestler , and graduated folkstyle wrestler . He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Welterweight Champion . Usman is also The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner.
As of July 30, 2024, he is #2 in the UFC welterweight rankings .[ 10]
As a freestyle wrestler, Usman primarily competed at 84 kilograms (185 lb), and was a 2010 U.S. University World Team Member.[ 11] Collegiately , he competed at 174 pounds (79 kg), and was the 2010 NCAA Division II national champion, a three–time NCAA Division II All-American, and a NAIA national qualifier.[ 12] [ 13]
Background
Usman was born in Auchi , Edo state of Nigeria.[ 14] His father was a major in the Nigerian Army and his mother was a teacher.[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] He has two brothers, Kashetu and Mohammed, the latter of whom is also a mixed martial artist and fellow The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner.[ 18] Usman had a modest upbringing during his childhood.[ 19] Usman's father Muhammed Nasiru Usman, who became a pharmacist in the United States, brought his family into the country when Usman was eight years old, immigrating to Dallas, Texas .[ 20]
Wrestling career
Usman started wrestling in his sophomore year in high school, at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas . Because Usman's wrestling coach at the time had trouble pronouncing his first name Kamarudeen, he got the nickname "Marty" when he joined the team and it stuck with him during his amateur wrestling career.[ 21] [ 22] After compiling a 53–3 record as a senior and placing third at the Texas state championships, Usman wrestled at the senior national tournament before leaving for college.[ 23]
In college, Usman wrestled in Iowa at William Penn University for one year, where he was an NAIA national tournament qualifier in 2007, but was unable to attend the tournament due to a snowstorm; half of his team and his head coach, however, left early for the tournament without him, which frustrated Usman and influenced him to leave William Penn.[ 24] He later transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), which previously tried to recruit him under advisement of then-UNK wrestler Tervel Dlagnev , and subsequently helped the Lopers win their first-ever team title in 2008.[ 24] Usman placed top three in the nation all three years he attended UNK and was a two-time national finalist.[ 25] He became the NCAA Division II national champion at 174 pounds in 2010, finishing the season with a 44–1 record and 30 straight wins.[ 26]
Shortly after his folkstyle career was over, Usman turned his attention to freestyle wrestling and became a resident of the United States Olympic Training Center , with hopes of making the 2012 Olympic team.[ 27] [ 28] Despite making the U.S. University World Team in 2010, Usman was sidetracked by injuries and eventually abandoned his Olympic goal after failing to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, turning his attention to mixed martial arts instead.[ 29] [ 30] Former National Football League (NFL) star Christian Okoye , who has the nickname "The Nigerian Nightmare" trademarked, gave his blessing for Usman to use it.[ 31]
Mixed martial arts career
Professional MMA career
In 2011, Usman served as the wrestling coach for Team Miller in The Ultimate Fighter season fourteen .[ 32] After failing to qualify for the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling , Usman made his professional MMA debut in November 2012.[ 33] He compiled a record of 5–1, competing for several regional promotions before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter in early 2015.[ 34] [ 35]
The Ultimate Fighter
In February 2015, it was announced that Usman was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter 21 .[ 35]
In his TUF debut and quarterfinal bout of the bracket, Usman faced undefeated eventual Titan FC Welterweight Champion Michael Graves . He won the fight via majority decision.[ 36]
In the semifinals, Usman faced off against long-time veteran and former WSOF Welterweight Champion Steve Carl . He won the fight via unanimous decision and advanced to the finals.[ 37]
In the finals, Usman faced Hayder Hassan on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale .[ 38] He won the bout via submission in the second round, thus winning a six-figure contract with the UFC.[ 39] He was also awarded the Performance of the Night award.[ 40]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
2015
In his official debut as a UFC athlete, Usman faced future champion Leon Edwards on December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17 .[ 41] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 42]
2016
Usman was expected to face two-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Sérgio Moraes on May 14, 2016, at UFC 198 .[ 43] However, it was announced on May 1 that Usman had pulled out of the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Luan Chagas .[ 44]
In his first bout of the year, Usman faced Alexander Yakovlev on July 23, 2016, at UFC on Fox 20 .[ 45] He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision after out-grappling Yakovlev.[ 46]
Usman faced TUF: Brazil 3 tournament winner Warlley Alves on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 100 .[ 47] He won the match by unanimous decision for the third-straight time.[ 48]
2017
Usman faced former long-time KOTC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210 .[ 49] He once again won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 50]
A rescheduled bout with a Sérgio Moraes on a seven-match unbeaten streak eventually took place on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116 .[ 51] Usman won the fight via one-punch knockout in the first round.[ 52]
Usman was scheduled to face Venator FC Welterweight Champion Emil Weber Meek on December 30, 2017, at UFC 219 , however, Meek presented VISA problems and the pair was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 124 .[ 53] [ 54] Usman won the fight by unanimous decision after out-wrestling his opponent.[ 55]
2018
Usman was expected to face Santiago Ponzinibbio on May 19, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129 .[ 56] However, on April 21, Ponzinibbio was pulled from the card due to injury[ 57] and replaced by ADCC Grappling World Champion and two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia .[ 58] After denying all of Maia's fifteen attempts of takedowns and out-performing his opponent on the feet, Usman won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 59]
On August 18, it was announced that Usman would serve as a back-up for the UFC 228 main event match between long-time champion Tyron Woodley and undefeated challenger Darren Till .[ 60]
Usman faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos on November 30, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale .[ 61] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 62] This win earned him his second Performance of the Night award.[ 63]
UFC Welterweight Champion
2019
Riding a nine-fight winning streak in the UFC, Usman next faced UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley on March 2, 2019, in the co-main event at UFC 235 .[ 64] He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision after dominating Woodley for five rounds.[ 65]
Usman made his first title defense and faced long-time rival Colby Covington at UFC 245 on December 14, 2019.[ 66] Despite both athletes being mostly offensive wrestlers ,[ 67] the fight did not include any grappling and contained high-paced offense in the striking instead.[ 68] After a fight often referred to as a five-round "slugfest ", Usman was able to knockdown his opponent twice before finishing him with strikes in the fifth round to be declared the winner via technical knockout,[ 69] which set the record for the latest finish in UFC welterweight history .[ 70] This fight earned both participants the Fight of the Night award.[ 71]
2020
Usman was scheduled to defend his title for the second time against long-time teammate and two-time No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Gilbert Burns on July 12, 2020 at UFC 251 .[ 72] Both being originally from the same camp – Sanford MMA – Usman opted to train under Trevor Wittman heading into the fight.[ 6] On July 3, 2020, it was revealed that Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and he was subsequently removed from the card.[ 73] On July 5, 2020, it was reported that Jorge Masvidal stepped in on short notice to replace Burns.[ 74] Usman won via unanimous decision.[ 75] The card reportedly generated 1.3 million pay-per-view buys in the United States, the most since UFC 229 in October 2018.[ 76]
2021
Usman was once again scheduled to defend his title against BJJ World Champion Gilbert Burns , on December 12, 2020, at UFC 256 .[ 77] However, on October 5, 2020, It was reported that Usman had pulled out from the bout, citing more time needed to recover from undisclosed injuries[ 78] and the bout was postponed for February 13, 2021, as the headliner for UFC 258 .[ 79] Usman defended his title for the third time, as he won the fight via technical knockout in the third round, surpassing the record of the former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre for the largest win-streak in the division with thirteen.[ 80] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 81]
For his fifth title bout, Usman rematched against Jorge Masvidal for the UFC Welterweight Championship on April 24, 2021, at UFC 261 in Florida.[ 82] He successfully defended his title after knocking out Masvidal in the second round, becoming the first to do so in the UFC.[ 83] This win earned Usman his fourth Performance of the Night bonus award.[ 84]
Usman rematched Colby Covington for the UFC Welterweight Championship on November 6, 2021 at UFC 268 .[ 85] Usman retained his championship, being declared the winner via unanimous decision.[ 86]
2022
Usman met Leon Edwards in a rematch of their 2015 fight, attempting to make his sixth title defense on August 20, 2022 at UFC 278 .[ 87] Usman entered the fight with a -425 winning favour while odd-makers saw Leon as a +315 underdog.[ 88] Usman lost the fight and title via knockout late in the fifth round, marking Usman's first loss inside the UFC.[ 89] [ 90] [ 91]
2023
A third fight between Usman and Edwards took place on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286 for the UFC Welterweight Championship.[ 92] He lost the bout via majority decision.[ 93]
Usman stepped in on 10 days notice, replacing an injured Paulo Costa , to face Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294 , which also was Usman's middleweight MMA debut.[ 94] He lost the fight via majority decision.[ 95]
Personal life
Born to a Muslim father and Christian mother, Usman identifies as a Muslim.[ 96] His father, Muhammed Nasiru Usman, who had previous convictions in Tarrant County for theft and drunk driving,[ 97] was convicted in May 2010 of offenses including health care fraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,300,000 in restitution .[ 98] He was released from FCI Seagoville on March 16, 2021.[ 99] [ 100]
Usman has a daughter who was born in 2014.[ 101]
Usman has a younger brother named Mohammed who was also in The Ultimate Fighter , in the Heavyweight division, winning the UFC contract and becoming the first two brothers to do so.[ 102] [ 103]
Usman was a guest star in the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022),[ 104] playing a naval officer.[ 105]
In 2024, Usman endorsed Donald Trump for President of the United States.[ 106]
Championships and accomplishments
Folkstyle wrestling
Mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
24 matches
20 wins
4 losses
By knockout
9
1
By submission
1
1
By decision
10
2
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
20–4
Khamzat Chimaev
Decision (majority)
UFC 294
October 21, 2023
3
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Middleweight debut.
Loss
20–3
Leon Edwards
Decision (majority)
UFC 286
March 18, 2023
5
5:00
London , England
For the UFC Welterweight Championship . Edwards was deducted 1 point in round 3 due to grabbing the fence.
Loss
20–2
Leon Edwards
KO (head kick)
UFC 278
August 20, 2022
5
4:04
Salt Lake City, Utah , United States
Lost the UFC Welterweight Championship .
Win
20–1
Colby Covington
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 268
November 6, 2021
5
5:00
New York City, New York , United States
Defended the UFC Welterweight Championship .
Win
19–1
Jorge Masvidal
KO (punch)
UFC 261
April 24, 2021
2
1:02
Jacksonville, Florida , United States
Defended the UFC Welterweight Championship . Performance of the Night. Knockout of the Year.
Win
18–1
Gilbert Burns
TKO (punches)
UFC 258
February 13, 2021
3
0:34
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Defended the UFC Welterweight Championship . Performance of the Night.
Win
17–1
Jorge Masvidal
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 251
July 12, 2020
5
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Defended the UFC Welterweight Championship .
Win
16–1
Colby Covington
TKO (punches)
UFC 245
December 14, 2019
5
4:10
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Defended the UFC Welterweight Championship . Fight of the Night.
Win
15–1
Tyron Woodley
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 235
March 2, 2019
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Won the UFC Welterweight Championship .
Win
14–1
Rafael dos Anjos
Decision (unanimous)
The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale
November 30, 2018
5
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
13–1
Demian Maia
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman
May 19, 2018
5
5:00
Santiago , Chile
Win
12–1
Emil Weber Meek
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi
January 14, 2018
3
5:00
St. Louis, Missouri , United States
Win
11–1
Sérgio Moraes
KO (punch)
UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch
September 16, 2017
1
2:48
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , United States
Win
10–1
Sean Strickland
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 210
April 8, 2017
3
5:00
Buffalo, New York , United States
Win
9–1
Warlley Alves
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2
November 19, 2016
3
5:00
São Paulo , Brazil
Win
8–1
Alexander Yakovlev
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko
July 23, 2016
3
5:00
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Yakovlev was deducted one point in round 1 for grabbing the cage.
Win
7–1
Leon Edwards
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2
December 19, 2015
3
5:00
Orlando, Florida , United States
Win
6–1
Hayder Hassan
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale
July 12, 2015
2
1:19
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Won The Ultimate Fighter 21 Welterweight Tournament. Performance of the Night.
Win
5–1
Marcus Hicks
TKO (punches)
Legacy FC 33
July 18, 2014
2
5:00
Allen, Texas , United States
Win
4–1
Lenny Lovoto
TKO (punches)
Legacy FC 30
April 4, 2014
3
1:04
Albuquerque, New Mexico , United States
Win
3–1
Steven Rodriguez
TKO (punches)
Legacy FC 27
January 31, 2014
1
1:31
Houston, Texas , United States
Win
2–1
Rashid Abdullah
TKO (punches)
VFC 41
December 14, 2013
1
3:49
Ralston, Nebraska , United States
Catchweight (180 lb) bout.
Loss
1–1
Jose Caceres
Submission (rear-naked choke)
CFA 11
May 24, 2013
1
3:47
Coral Gables, Florida , United States
Win
1–0
David Glover
TKO (punches)
RFA 5
November 30, 2012
2
4:50
Kearney, Nebraska , United States
Welterweight debut.
Exhibition record breakdown
2 matches
2 wins
0 losses
By decision
2
0
[ 133]
Freestyle record
Senior Freestyle Matches
Res.
Record
Opponent
Score
Date
Event
Location
2012 US Olympic Trials Qualifier DNP at 84 kg
Loss
35–26
Evan Brown
1–3, 1–1
March 31 – April 1, 2012
2012 US Olympic Trials Qualifier
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Win
35–25
Ed Richmond
Fall
Loss
34–25
Jake Herbert
2–5, 1–5
2012 Dave Schultz M. International DNP at 84 kg
Loss
34–24
Narsingh Yadav
1–2, 1–5
February 2–4, 2012
2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Win
34–23
Evan Brown
1–0, 1–0
Win
33–23
Valentin Sofiadi
2–0, 2–0
Win
32–23
Alex Burk
5–2, 2–1
Loss
31–23
Deron Winn
Fall
Win
31–22
Kurt Brenner
0–8, 6–4, 2–0
2011 US Olympic Trials Qualifier 4th at 84 kg
Loss
30–22
Bryce Hasseman
0–1, 0–1
December 3, 2011
2011 US Olympic Trials Qualifier
Las Vegas, Nevada
Win
30–21
Travis Paulson
INJ
Win
29–21
James Yonushonis
4–2, 2–1
Win
28–21
Doug Umbehauer
1 –1, 2–0
Win
27–21
Kurt Brenner
1–0, 5–2
Loss
26–21
Terry Madden
0–4, 1–4
Win
26–20
Pat Downey
1 –1, 3–3 , 4–0
2011 NYAC Holiday International Open DNP at 84 kg
Loss
25–20
Kirk Smith
1–1, 0–3
November 11–13, 2011
2011 NYAC Holiday International Open Tournament
New York City, New York
Win
25–19
Mike Tamillow
2–1, 3–0
Loss
24–19
Jaime Espinal
0–4, 4–6
2011 Sunkist Kids International Open DNP at 84 kg
Loss
24–18
Mack Lewnes
2–2 , 0–6
October 28–30, 2011
2011 Sunkist Kids International Open Tournament
Mesa, Arizona
Loss
24–17
Raymond Jordan
0–4, 1–3
Win
24–16
Erich Schmidtke
3–0, 1–2, 3–1
2011 NP Regionals at 96 kg
Loss
23–16
Luke Lofthouse
1–1 , 4–1, 0–1
May 12–14, 2011
2011 Northern Plains Regional Championships
Waterloo, Iowa
Win
23–15
Mike Schmidt
3–3 , 7–0, 7–2
2011 US University Nationals 7th at 84 kg
Win
22–15
Kevin Bailey
TF 7–0, 6–0
April 20–23, 2011
2011 US University National Championships
Akron, Ohio
Loss
21–15
Max Thomusseit
3–1, 0–1, 0–1
Win
21–14
Ryan Loder
6–0, 1–3, 2–1
Win
20–14
Keith Witt
TF 6–0, 6–0
Win
19–14
Ben Bennett
2–0, 6–0
Loss
18–14
Nick Heflin
0–1, 1–3
Win
18–13
Cole Shafer
6–0, 2–0
2011 US Open DNP at 84 kg
Loss
17–13
Raymond Jordan
0–2, 0–2
April 7–10, 2011
2011 US Open National Championships
Cleveland, Ohio
Loss
17–12
Bryce Hasseman
1–1 , 0–3
Win
17–11
Evan Brown
0–1, 2–1, 1–0
2011 US Open National Championships – Qualifier
Win
16–11
Christopher Honeycutt
1 –1, 2–3, 2–1
Win
15–11
Kaleb Young
3–2, 1–0
Loss
14–11
Nick Heflin
0–1, 4–1, 0–1
Win
14–10
Dwight Middleton
TF 6–0, 6–0
2011 Dave Schultz M. International DNP at 84 kg
Loss
13–10
Jaime Espinal
Fall
February 2–5, 2011
2011 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Win
13–9
James Yonushonis
TF 5–0, 8–2
Loss
12–9
Shinya Matsumoto
2–4, 1–4
Win
12–8
Jake Landals
5–0, 7–0
Win
11–8
James Reynolds
4–1, 7–0
2010 NYAC International Open DNP at 84 kg
Loss
10–8
Raymond Jordan
Fall
November 20–21, 2010
2010 NYAC International Open Tournament
New York City, New York
Win
10–7
Jason Lapham
1–0, 3–0
Win
9–7
Robert Isley
2–1, 4–2
Loss
8–7
Keith Gavin
1–0, 1–2, 0–2
Win
8–6
Vitaliy Horodnytskyy
2–0, 2–1
2010 University World Championships 8th at 84 kg
Loss
7–6
Giedrius Morkis
Fall
October 30, 2010
2010 University World Championships
Torino, Italy
Loss
7–5
Piotr Ianulov
0–6
Win
7–4
Alex Burk
9–2
2010 US University World Team Trials 5th at 74 kg
Loss
6–4
Adam Hall
2–0, 0–1, 2–4
May 28–29, 2010
2010 US University World Team Trials
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Win
6–3
Albert White
2–1, 2–0
Loss
5–3
Jon Reader
0–4, 1–5
Win
5–2
John Paul O`Connor
0–3, 4–3, 5–0
Win
4–2
Matt Ballweg
5–1, 6–0
2010 US Open DNP at 74 kg
Loss
3–2
David Bonin
1–2, 4–0, 3–3
April 22–24, 2010
2010 US Open National Championships
Cleveland, Ohio
Loss
3–1
Travis Paulson
3–1, 0–1, 0–6
Win
3–0
Derek Peperas
INJ
2010 US Open National Championships – Qualifier
Win
2–0
David Foxen
TF 6–0, 7–0
Win
1–0
Michael Mitchell
3–5, 3–2, 6–0
NCAA record
NCAA Division II Championships Matches
Res.
Record
Opponent
Score
Date
Event
2010 NCAA (DII) Championships at 174 lbs
Win
11–2
Luke Rynish
5–4
March 13, 2010
2010 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win
10–2
Christopher Barrick
6–5
Win
9–2
Aaron Denson
2–0
Win
8–2
Ben Becker
9–2
2009 NCAA (DII) Championships at 174 lbs
Loss
7–2
Brett Hunter
2–3
March 14, 2009
2009 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win
7–1
Ross Taplin
2–0
Win
6–1
Jarret Hall
4–2
Win
5–1
Luke Rynish
8–5
2008 NCAA (DII) Championships at 174 lbs
Win
4–1
Josh Shields
3–2
March 15, 2008
2008 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win
3–1
Chris Gibbs
4–1
Loss
2–1
Albert Miles
2–6
Win
2–0
Tyler Tubbs
SV–1 7–5
Win
1–0
Chris Gibbs
MD 10–0
Pay-per-view bouts
No.
Event
Fight
Date
Venue
City
PPV buys
1.
UFC 245
Usman vs. Covington
December 14, 2019
T-Mobile Arena
Paradise, Nevada , United States
Not Disclosed[ 134]
2.
UFC 251
Usman vs. Masvidal
July 12, 2020
Flash Forum
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
1,300,000[ 76]
3.
UFC 258
Usman vs. Burns
February 13, 2021
UFC Apex
Enterprise, Nevada , United States
Not Disclosed[ 135]
4.
UFC 261
Usman vs. Masvidal 2
April 24, 2021
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Jacksonville, Florida , United States
700,000[ 136]
5.
UFC 268
Usman vs. Covington 2
November 6, 2021
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York , United States
700,000[ 137]
6.
UFC 278
Usman vs. Edwards 2
August 20, 2022
Vivint Arena
Salt Lake City, Utah , United States
Not Disclosed[ 138]
7.
UFC 286
Edwards vs. Usman 3
March 18, 2023
The O2 Arena
London, England , United Kingdom
Not Disclosed[ 139]
Total sales
2,700,000
See also
References
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External links
Updated to 19 November 2024
Updated to 12 November 2024