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MMA gym skipping ropes! Photo by Anastase Maragos –Unsplash

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kamaru Usman

Kamarudeen Usman (born May 11, 1987) is a Nigerian-American professional MMA fighter, former freestyle wrestler, and folk-style wrestler graduate. He currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight division, where he is the former UFC Welterweight Champion.

Usman also won the Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament. He is currently ranked first in the UFC men’s welterweight rankings and fourth in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings as of August 23, 2022.

Usman wrestled freestyle at 84 kilograms (185 pounds) and was a member of the 2010 United States University World Team.

  He competed collegiately at 174 pounds (79 kg) and was the NCAA Division II national champion in 2010, a three-time NCAA Division II All-American, and an NAIA national qualifier.

1.Kamru’s father was a prisoned for 11 years for money laundering in Nigeria

During the buildup to UFC 268, Colby Covington made a point of mocking Usman’s father’s legal problems, as his father was sentenced to 11 years in prison for laundering money. Before moving to the United States, his father was a respected member of the Nigerian army. His father rose to the rank of Major in the army before relocating Kamaru and his family to the United States when Kamaru was eight years old.

2.He is ethnical from Nigeria but also has an American citizenship

Easy to punch, small punching bag. Photo by Kenny Eliason –Unsplash

Usman was born in Benin City, the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria, on May 11, 1987. Usman and his family immigrated to America when he was five years old in search of a better life. Although  leaving at such a young age, “The Nigerian Nightmare” remains Nigerian. The abrasive combatant’s boycotts have become synonymous with being slung in a Nigerian flag. Usman’s success in the ring has earned him a large following in his home country, where the sport is still in its infancy.

3.Kamaru has been a very successful amateur wrestler

It’s common knowledge that Kamaru Usman was a good wrestler, but unless you do some deep diving, you won’t even notice just how successful he was as an amateur wrestler but besides not competing at the D1 state scale.

Usman won the D2 National Championship in wrestling in 2010, and he was a three-time All-American at The University of Nebraska at Kearney.

4.He got to the UFC through ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ which was a wrestling show

When he was cast on Season 21 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2015, Usman had a 5-1 professional MMA record on the regional circuit. He won his first fight on the show by majority decision over Michael Graves. Following a largely determined victory over Steve Carl, Usman advanced to the season finale, where he encountered heavyweight artist Hayder Hassan.

Usman used his wrestling prowess to assert power, and he secured the victory with an arm-triangle choke 1:19 into the second stanza. Usman obtained a spot on the UFC roster by winning the tournament. Usman has yet to be defeated in seven fights with the Nevada-based career advancement.

5.Kamaru almost went to the Olympics but succumbed injuries that hindered that

A pair of colorful training gloves. Photo by Kenny Eliason –Unsplash

Kamaru Usman, just like several other wrestlers, aspires to compete on the Olympic stage one day. That dream almost came true in 2012, but sadly for the future welterweight champion, it did not.

Usman began to suffer injuries, particularly to his knees, which slowed him down. Regardless of his injuries, he competed in the Olympic trials but did not qualify; he then turned his attention to MMA.

6.It all runs in the family, as his younger brother is also a professional fighter

“The Nigerian Nightmare” is not the only member of his family who has pursued a career in MMA. Mohammed Usman, the younger brother, is a former college football player who now competes in the heavyweight division, where he has a 3-1 professional record.

Kamaru introduced his younger brother to the game. Mohammed recruited his brother to make his professional debut in 2012. Notwithstanding the the fact that both brothers joined the same career path, they very seldom train together.

7.Christian Okoye was Kamaru’s initial nickname and has now trademarked the name

It was Christian Okoye in the NFL who carried the Nigerian flag for sports in America before Kamaru Usman. Okoye was a Kansas City Chiefs star running back in the 1990s, earning the nickname “The Nigerian Nightmare” for his harsh running style.

Okoye copyrighted the nickname, but Usman now uses it after receiving the former Chiefs star’s blessing and appreciation.

8.Kamaru’s time in prison and different criminal offences

MMA gym skipping ropes! Photo by Anastase Maragos –Unsplash

Usman, who was born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother, considers himself as a Muslim. Muhammed Nasiru Usman, who had past charges in Tarrant County for robbery and driving while intoxicated, was found guilty in May 2010 of different crimes linked to a health insurance fraud scheme, such as health care fraud and money laundering.

He was incarcerated for 15 years in prison and required to pay $1,300,000 in reparation before being released on March 16, 2021 from FCI Seagoville.

9.He was a member of Mayhem Miller’s TUF team as a coach

Season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter was one of the more memorable seasons, owing largely to the drama between the season’s coaches, Mayhem Miller and Michael Bisping. Fans, on the other hand, would have seen a future champion if they had actually listened to the coaches of the teams.

Even as an aspiring wrestler, Kamaru Usman worked as a wrestling coach for Mayhem Miller’s team. It was the first time UFC fans saw the future champion, more than a year before his MMA debut.

10.Kamaru’s personal life outside wrestling and his family

Kamaru Usman is rumored to be married to Eleslie Dietzschwith, a Brazilian woman who gave birth to him a lovely daughter whom he loves. On November 22, 1986, his wife was born. Eunice and Jose are her parents. Samira Usman, his 6-year-old daughter born in August of 2014, receives a lot of love from her father. Kamaru Usman values his family and always makes time to spend with them.