Kamaru Usman’s ethnicity is Nigerian. Born in Auchi, Nigeria, his father was a major in the Nigerian Army.
He and his family moved to the United States when he was eight, settling in Dallas, Texas.
Kamaru Usman, born on May 11, 1987, is a prominent American mixed martial artist, a former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler, and a former UFC Welterweight Champion.
He won The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament and holds the #1 rank in the UFC men’s welterweight rankings as of November 14, 2022. He’s also #7 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings as of September 26, 2023.
In freestyle wrestling, Usman excelled in the 84-kilogram category, being a 2010 U.S. University World Team Member. He became the 2010 NCAA Division II national champion and is a three-time NCAA Division II All-American and NAIA national qualifier.
Kamaru Usman is an American-Nigerian mixed martial artist, reflecting his mixed background. Born in Auchi, Nigeria, he began his wrestling journey at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, earning the nickname “Marty” due to his given name, Kamarudeen.
In college, he initially wrestled at William Penn University in Iowa, but a snowstorm caused him to miss a crucial tournament. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), where he played a vital role in the team’s first-ever title win in 2008.
During his time at UNK, Usman consistently ranked in the top three nationally, becoming a two-time national finalist and winning the NCAA Division II national championship at 174 pounds in 2010 with a remarkable 44–1 record and 30 consecutive wins.
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Usman shifted his focus to freestyle wrestling, aiming for the 2012 Olympic team. Injuries derailed his Olympic aspirations, leading him to MMA.
Kamaru Usman’s professional MMA career started in 2012. He transitioned to the UFC and had a victorious debut in 2015 against Leon Edwards at UFC on Fox 17. He went on to win the UFC Welterweight Championship and defended it successfully.
