Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman
Usman at UFC 228 press conference in 2018
BornKamarudeen Usman[1]
(1987-05-11) May 11, 1987 (age 37)
Auchi, Edo, Nigeria
NicknameThe Nigerian Nightmare
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionWelterweight (2012–present)
Middleweight (2023)
Reach76 in (193 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofDenver, Colorado, U.S.
TeamBlackzilians (2011–2017)
Kill Cliff FC (2017–2020, 2022–present)[3][4][5]
Onx Sports (2020–present)
TrainerJorge Santiago (grappling)[6]
Trevor Wittman (striking)[6]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Jorge Santiago[7]
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling[8]
Years active2010–2012 (freestyle wrestling)
2012–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins20
By knockout9
By submission1
By decision10
Losses4
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Nebraska–Kearney Lopers
NCAA Division II Championships
Gold medal – first place 2010 Omaha 174 lb
Silver medal – second place 2009 Houston 174 lb
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Cedar Rapids 174 lb

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]

  1. ^ a b "Kamarudeen Usman – Wrestling". University of Nebraska – Kearney Athletics. Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "Kamaru Usman". UFC. September 14, 2018. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  3. ^ Ollie Carlson (December 13, 2019). "Hard Knocks 365 rebrands to Sanford MMA with sponsorship from Sanford Health". thebodylockmma.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  4. ^ E. Spencer Kyte (January 1, 2021). "Champion Check-In: Kamaru Usman's Patient Dominance". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "Gilbert Burns Opens Up On Sanford MMA Reunion With Kamaru Usman". MMA News. May 29, 2022. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Brett Okamoto (June 24, 2020). "Kamaru Usman changes camp ahead of title defense vs. Gilbert Burns". espn.com. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  7. ^ @marc_raimondi (March 8, 2019). "'New UFC champ Kamaru Usman has been awarded his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt by longtime coach @SantiagoMMA (...)'" (Tweet). Retrieved June 1, 2019 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Guy Portman (November 29, 2018). "5 Things You Might Not Know About Kamaru Usman". Sherdog.com.
  9. ^ "Kamaru Usman: Nigerian Nightmare, Samirah's Dream". The Guardian Nigeria. May 12, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  10. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  11. ^ "Interview with RFA fighter, NCAA wrestling champ, and TUF 14 coach Kamaru "Marty" Usman". On The Mat | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, News, Gear and Kimonos. November 30, 2012. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  12. ^ "Kamarudeen (Marty) Usman – Wrestling". University of Nebraska – Kearney Athletics. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  13. ^ Sports, N. T. V. (July 7, 2020). "Kamaru Usman represents UNK at UFC level". KHGI. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.