Kamaru Usman
The Nigerian Nightmare and his 15-fight UFC run
- Born
- May 11, 1987, Auchi, Edo, Nigeria
- Nationality
Nigeria
United States- Height
- 183 cm (6′0″)
- Reach
- 193 cm (6′4″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Pressure wrestle-boxer
- Weight
- Welterweight, Middleweight
- Active
- 2012–present
- Status
- Active · age 39
The record
Professional MMA; most recent bout a decision loss to Dricus du Plessis in July 2026. record
The story
orn in Auchi, Nigeria, Kamaru Usman won the 2010 NCAA Division II wrestling title at the University of Nebraska at Kearney before turning to MMA. He won The Ultimate Fighter 21, then won 15 straight UFC fights, the most in welterweight history, and took the title from Tyron Woodley in 2019. He defended it five times, twice each against Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal and once against Gilbert Burns. His game started as pressure, clinch control and takedowns, and under coach Trevor Wittman he added a powerful jab and more comfort on the feet. Leon Edwards took the belt with a fifth-round head kick in 2022 and beat him again in 2023. He has since gone 1-1, beating Joaquin Buckley in 2025 and losing a decision to Dricus du Plessis in July 2026.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- UFC welterweight champion (2019–2022, 5 successful defenses)
- The Ultimate Fighter 21 winner
- NCAA Division II national wrestling champion (2010)
- Jim Koch Division II Hall of Fame (2022)
Defining fights
- 2019WINvs Tyron Woodley (UD, won UFC welterweight title)
- 2019WINvs Colby Covington (TKO R5, title defense)
- 2021WINvs Jorge Masvidal (KO R2, title defense)
- 2022LOSSvs Leon Edwards (head kick KO R5, lost title)
- 2025WINvs Joaquin Buckley (UD)
Walk the opponent to the fence behind a stiff jab, clinch, and make them carry your weight until a takedown or knees appear. Wrestling and MMA students can drill jab-to-clinch entries and fence-control rounds.
