Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-born UFC fighter, former welterweight champion and co-host of Pound 4 Pound, sharing fight breakdowns and conversations with Henry Cejudo.
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Latest
Kamaru’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
YouTube
UFC
MarvelOverview
- From
- Auchi, Nigeria; raised in the United States.
- Known as
- The Nigerian Nightmare
- Work
- Mixed martial artist and podcast co-host
- Breakout
- Won The Ultimate Fighter 21 in 2015.
- Championship milestone
- Became the first African-born UFC champion in 2019.
Mini bio
How it started.
Born in Auchi, Nigeria, Kamaru moved to the United States as a child and found his path through wrestling. At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, he became a three-time All-American and won the 2010 NCAA Division II national title at 174 pounds.
Finding the cage.
He pursued Olympic wrestling before injuries wore down his motivation. MMA offered a new direction, and he began training for fighting in 2012. In 2015, he won The Ultimate Fighter 21 by submitting Hayder Hassan in the finale.
Becoming champion.
At UFC 235 in March 2019, he defeated Tyron Woodley to become UFC welterweight champion and the promotion’s first African-born titleholder. His 2021 wins over Gilbert Burns, Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington put him first in UFC’s editorial list of the year’s best fighters.
Beyond fight night.
Kamaru and Henry Cejudo launched Pound 4 Pound in 2024, bringing their experience to fight analysis and guest interviews. His own YouTube channel also shares vlogs, interviews and documentary episodes. He made a naval officer cameo in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Creditschronological, newest first
Podcasts and video
- 2024Pound 4 PoundCo-host with Henry Cejudo
- 2020Kamaru Usman YouTube channelCreator of vlogs, interviews and documentary episodes
Film
- 2022Black Panther: Wakanda ForeverNaval officer
Awards
- Jim Koch Division II Wrestling Hall of FameInducted in 2022 for his collegiate wrestling accomplishments.
- No. 1 in UFC’s best fighters of 2021Selected first in UFC’s editorial year-end ranking after wins over Burns, Masvidal and Covington.
- UFC welterweight championWon the title against Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in 2019.
- NCAA Division II national championWon the 174-pound title for Nebraska-Kearney in 2010.
Quotes
You have to believe you are the champion.Kamaru Usman, UFC interview
Speaking in December 2015 about the belief behind his ambition to win UFC gold.
Trivia
- Before fighting, he worked as a tour guide at the Olympic Training Center.
- His UFC athlete Q&A lists the heel hook as his favorite grappling technique and the elbow as his favorite striking technique.
- He coached wrestling on season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter before competing on season 21.
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