Martial Arts · Fighters · No. 1
Kamaru Usman
Born in Auchi, crowned in Las Vegas: the Nigerian Nightmare who became Africa’s first UFC champion.
- 21-5MMA record
- 5Title defences
- 15UFC win streak
- 97.3%Takedown defence
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From Auchi to Texas
Kamarudeen Usman was born in Auchi, Edo State, on 11 May 1987. His father, a Nigerian Army major who later became a pharmacist, moved the family to Dallas, Texas, when Kamaru was eight. At Bowie High School in Arlington he took up wrestling, and a coach who struggled with his first name called him “Marty”.
A champion wrestler
At the University of Nebraska at Kearney he became a three-time All-American and won the NCAA Division II national title at 174 pounds in 2010, finishing 44-1 with 30 straight wins. He made the 2010 US University World Team.
Africa’s first UFC champion
Usman won The Ultimate Fighter 21 in 2015 and climbed the welterweight ranks. On 2 March 2019 at UFC 235 he dominated Tyron Woodley for five rounds to become the first African-born UFC champion. He defended the title five times, twice each against Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal and once against Gilbert Burns, and set the division records for the longest win streak (15) and takedown defence (97.3%).
After the title
Leon Edwards took his belt with a late head-kick knockout at UFC 278 in August 2022 and won the rematch. After a close loss to Khamzat Chimaev, Usman returned with a win over Joaquin Buckley in June 2025, then lost a decision to Dricus du Plessis in July 2026.
Key fights
| Date | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Ultimate Fighter 21 | Won the tournament |
| 2 Mar 2019 | UFC 235 v Tyron Woodley | Won the UFC welterweight title, decision |
| 14 Dec 2019 | UFC 245 v Colby Covington | Retained, TKO |
| 12 Jul 2020 | UFC 251 v Jorge Masvidal | Retained, decision |
| 13 Feb 2021 | UFC 258 v Gilbert Burns | Retained, TKO |
| 24 Apr 2021 | UFC 261 v Jorge Masvidal | Retained, KO |
| 6 Nov 2021 | UFC 268 v Colby Covington | Retained, decision |
| 20 Aug 2022 | UFC 278 v Leon Edwards | Lost the title, KO |
| 18 Mar 2023 | UFC 286 v Leon Edwards | Lost, majority decision |
| 21 Oct 2023 | UFC 294 v Khamzat Chimaev | Lost, majority decision |
| 14 Jun 2025 | UFC on ESPN 69 v Joaquin Buckley | Won, decision |
| 18 Jul 2026 | UFC Fight Night 281 v Dricus du Plessis | Lost, decision |
The Nigerian Nightmare
Usman fights under a nickname borrowed, with permission, from Nigerian-born NFL star Christian Okoye. He has always carried his Nigerian roots into the cage, and his success helped put MMA on the map in Nigeria.
More Nigerian martial arts
Quick answers
Kamaru Usman: quick answers
Where is Kamaru Usman from?
Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria, where he was born on 11 May 1987. His family moved to Dallas, Texas, when he was eight.
Was Kamaru Usman the first African UFC champion?
Yes. When he beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 on 2 March 2019, he became the first African-born UFC champion.
How many times did Kamaru Usman defend his title?
Five times: Covington twice, Masvidal twice and Gilbert Burns.
Why is Kamaru Usman called The Nigerian Nightmare?
The nickname belonged to former NFL star Christian Okoye, who trademarked it; Usman uses it with Okoye’s permission.