Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman
Born Kamarudeen Usman
(1987-05-11) May 11, 1987
Benin City, Nigeria
Other names 30%, Nigerian Nightmare
Nationality Nigerian
American
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Welterweight
Reach 76 in (193 cm)[1]
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Dallas, Texas, United States
Team Hard Knocks 365
Wrestling NCAA Division II Wrestling[1]
Years active 2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 14
Wins 13
By knockout 6
By submission 1
By decision 6
Losses 1
By submission 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kamaru Usman (born May 11, 1987)[2] is a Nigerian-American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He won The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Tournament. As of July 26, 2018, he is #6 in the official UFC welterweight rankings.[3]

Background

Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Usman and his family immigrated to the United States for a better life when he was 8-years-old. After compiling a 53–3 record in high school wrestling, at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, and qualifying for the NAIA national meet at William Penn University, Usman's wrestling career took off after transferring to the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Usman earned NCAA Division II All-American honors all three years he attended and helped the school win its first-ever overall team title in 2008. In his senior season, he won the 2010 NCAA Division II national title at 174 lbs. Additionally, he was also a member of the University World Team for wrestling in 2010.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Professional MMA career

Kamaru Usman made his professional MMA debut in November 2012. He compiled a record of 5–1, competing for several regional promotions before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter in early 2015.

The Ultimate Fighter

In February 2015, it was announced that Usman was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians.[5]

In his first fight on the show, Usman faced Michael Graves. He won the fight via majority decision.[6]

In the semifinals, Usman faced off against former WSOF Welterweight Champion Steve Carl. He won the fight via unanimous decision and advanced to the finals.[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Usman faced Hayder Hassan in the finals on July 12, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.[8] He won the bout via submission in the second round.[9] He was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[10]

Usman faced Leon Edwards on December 19, 2015 at UFC on Fox 17.[11] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[12]

Usman was expected to face Sérgio Moraes on May 14, 2016 at UFC 198.[13] However, Usman was replaced on the card for undisclosed reasons by promotional newcomer Luan Chagas.[14]

Usman next faced Alexander Yakovlev on July 23, 2016 at UFC on Fox 20.[15] He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.[16]

Usman faced Warlley Alves on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 100.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Usman faced Sean Strickland on April 8, 2017 at UFC 210.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

A rescheduled bout with Sérgio Moraes eventually took place on September 16, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 116.[21] Usman won the fight via knockout in the first round.[22]

Usman was scheduled to face Emil Weber Meek on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219, but the fight was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi.[23][24] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Usman was expected to face Santiago Ponzinibbio on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.[25] However, on April 21, Ponzinibbio was pulled from the card due to injury,[26] and he was replaced by Demian Maia.[27] Usman won the fight via unanimous decision.[28]

Usman is expected to face Rafael dos Anjos on November 30, 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale.[29]

Personal life

Kamaru has a brother, Mohammed, who is also a mixed martial artist.[30]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 13–1 Demian Maia Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman May 19, 2018 5 5:00 Santiago, Chile
Win 12–1 Emil Weber Meek Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi January 14, 2018 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 11–1 Sérgio Moraes KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch September 16, 2017 1 2:48 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 10–1 Sean Strickland Decision (unanimous) UFC 210 April 8, 2017 3 5:00 Buffalo, New York, United States
Win 9–1 Warlley Alves Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2 November 19, 2016 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 8–1 Alexander Yakovlev Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko July 23, 2016 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 7–1 Leon Edwards Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 December 19, 2015 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 6–1 Hayder Hassan Submission (arm-triangle choke) The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale July 12, 2015 2 1:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won The Ultimate Fighter 21. Performance of the Night.
Win 5–1 Marcus Hicks TKO (punches) Legacy FC 33 July 18, 2014 2 5:00 Allen, Texas, United States
Win 4–1 Lenny Lovoto TKO (punches) Legacy FC 30 April 4, 2014 3 1:04 New Mexico, United States
Win 3–1 Steven Rodriguez TKO (punches) Legacy FC 27 January 31, 2014 1 1:31 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 2–1 Rashid Abdullah TKO (punches) VFC 41 December 14, 2013 1 3:49 Ralston, Nebraska, United States
Loss 1–1 Jose Caceres Submission (rear-naked choke) CFA 11 May 24, 2013 1 3:47 Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 David Glover TKO (punches) RFA 5 November 30, 2012 2 4:50 Kearney, Nebraska, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–0 Steve Carl Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians June 17, 2015 (airdate) 2 5:00 Coconut Creek, Florida, United States The Ultimate Fighter 21 Semifinals round.
Win 1–0 Michael Graves Decision (majority) The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians April 22, 2015 (airdate) 2 5:00 Boca Raton, Florida, United States The Ultimate Fighter 21 Quarterfinals round.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Kamaru Usman - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Kamaru". Sherdog. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  3. ↑ "Fighter Rankings | UFC ®". UFC. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
  4. ↑ Bevois (2012-11-29). "Interview with RFA fighter, NCAA wrestling champ, and TUF 14 coach Kamaru Usman". onthemat.com. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
  5. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2015-02-28). "TUF 21 features American Top Team vs. Blackzilians with $500K on the line". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-02-28.
  6. ↑ Mike Bohn (2015-04-22). "Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians'". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  7. ↑ Mike Bohn (2015-06-17). "Episode No. 9 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 21: ATT vs. Blackzilians'". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  8. ↑ Dana Becker (2015-07-09). "The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale card all set, Four TUF Fighters in action". fightline.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  9. ↑ Matt Erickson (2015-07-12). "TUF 21 Finale results: Kamaru Usman taps Hayder Hassan to win 'TUF 21' crown". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  10. ↑ Mike Sloan (2015-07-12). "'TUF 21' Finale Bonuses: Thompson, Usman, Masvidal, Samman nab $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  11. ↑ Staff (2015-09-01). "Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman added to UFC on FOX 17 in Orlando". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  12. ↑ John Morgan (2015-12-19). "UFC on FOX 17 results: Kamaru Usman grinds out Leon Edwards". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  13. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2016-03-01). "Sergio Moraes vs. Kamaru Usman added to UFC event in Brazil". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  14. ↑ Staff (2016-05-01). "Kamaru Usman out of UFC 198 bout with Sergio Moraes". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  15. ↑ Chris Sosa (2016-06-03). "'Nigerian Nightmare' lands spot for UFC event at United Center". redeyechicago.com. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  16. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2016-07-23). "UFC on FOX 20 results: Kamaru Usman dominates Alexander Yakovlev in grappling heavy affair". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  17. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2016-10-04). "UFC Fight Night 100 gets Warlley Alves vs. Kamaru Usman". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  18. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2016-11-19). "UFC Fight Night 100 results: Kamaru Usman dominates Warlley Alves for wide decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  19. ↑ Staff (2017-02-14). "Sean Strickland vs. Kamaru Usman added to UFC 210 in Buffalo". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
  20. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2017-04-08). "UFC 210 results: Kamaru Usman dominates Sean Strickland, still perfect in UFC". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  21. ↑ David Tees (2017-07-23). "Multiple fights added To UFC Fight Night: Pittsburgh". fansided.com. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  22. ↑ "UFC-Pittsburgh results: Kamaru Usman right hand proves problematic for Sergio Moraes". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  23. ↑ DNA, MMA. "TUF 21 winnaar Kamaru Usman treft "Valhalla Army" tijdens UFC 219". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  24. ↑ Staff (2017-12-14). "Kamaru Usman vs. Emil Meek rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 124 in St. Louis". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  25. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2018-03-23). "Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Kamaru Usman scheduled for UFC Chile main event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  26. ↑ "UFC Chile main, co-main events fall apart with Santiago Ponzinibbio, Volkan Oezdemir out". MMAjunkie. 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  27. ↑ Raphael Marinho (2018-04-26). "Ultimate announces Demian Maia as substitute for Ponzinibbio at UFC Chile". sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2018-04-26. (in Portuguese)
  28. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 129 results: Kamaru Usman denies Demian Maia takedowns, cruises to decision win". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  29. ↑ Raphael Marinho (2018-09-12). "UFC plans Dos Anjos vs. Kamaru Usman as TUF 28 Finale Main Fight". sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2018-09-13. (in Portuguese)
  30. ↑ "Onetime 'TUF' hopeful Kevin Nowaczyk, Kamaru Usman's brother among Victory FC 60 additions". mmajunkie.com. 2018-03-22.
  • "Kamaru Usman". UFC.com.
  • Professional MMA record for Kamaru Usman from Sherdog Edit this at Wikidata
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