Kamaru Usman

Quick Facts

Kamaru Usman has joined Mixed Martial Arts since 2012 and has been totally out of stereotypes.

It’s a real good feeling when an athlete of your liking does things other than what others have been doing to date.

Indeed, he proves how you don’t need to be the strongest, tallest, or even dangerous-looking to get the job done.

All in all, Usman is the professional fighter competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the Welterweight division.

At present, Usman is going on for a dominant run where he has already first marked himself as the #5 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Having so much confidence, skills, Usman does get his share of criticism at times, which are normal in the lives of a well-known personality as not everyone can be ruled out for you.

However, I would take a minute to appreciate how Usman has been dealing with stuff and for a hint, let’s check out his single line of words.

“I am what I am. I don’t regret anything.”
-Kamaru Usman

Body Measurements

Kamaru Usman is a built athlete with a decent body as he stands at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) (1.83 m). Additionally, Usman weighs 170 lb (77 kg) as he has a muscled biceps of 14.5.

Furthermore, his waist size measures 33, chest measures 42, and hips measure 35; thus, all in all, he measures a total of 42-33-35 in his bodily measurements. All in all, Usman is known to wear a shoe size of 9 (UK) (UK).

Workout Training

Usman is a decent height man with decent measurements and to obtain the particular measurements is all down to the intensive training he goes through.

As I take you to his daily workout routine, you will find predominantly weight training, compound movement exercises, functional exercises, wrestling, MMA training, boxing, and kickboxing.

According to the reports, Usman is reported to work out five days a week, and other than those days, he jogs and does light training to be in condition.

Firstly, his weight training comprises deadlifts, back medicine ball toss, side medicine ball toss, and drag sleds.

Second is his MMA training, which is the most intense workout. As for it, Usman is recorded to do heaps of punches and kicks with sparring, and this is where he thinks of a new combinations expertise to demonstrate in the octagon.

Following that is Usman’s wrestling, which is normally done in evening training when he does drills, grapples, and so on. This timetable of wrestling may be an hour or two.

Diet Plan

When it comes to diet, athletes are fastidious about what should be consumed and what shouldn’t be.

As we go into Usman’s eating plan, he separated it into four parts: breakfast, lunch, snack (two times), and dinner. When it comes to breakfast, Usman goes with bacon, eggs, bread, oatmeal, and juice. Second comes his light snack, including fruits and protein shakes.

Following it comes his lunch, which consists of chicken breast or fish, rice, salads, tons of veggies. Then, it is again time for a small snack where he munches fruits and almonds. Finally, it’s time for dinner. Usman’s dinner is a bit similar to lunch with some chicken breast or fish, salad with mayo, and of course, veggies.

Kamaru Usman | Childhood & Education

Kamaru Usman was born into a Nigerian household on May 11, 1987, under the Taurus’ sun sign. Back then, his father was a Nigerian army while his mother was a teacher. Indeed, everyone has their share of back story throughout their childhood days, so did Usman.

Usman was born in the black ethnicity as he grew and was reared in a tiny town at Auchi, Edo state, alongside his two brothers, Kashetu Usman and Mohammed Usman.

They were a middle-class family and used to go miles for water. As he spent eight years of his youth in such conditions, his father bought them in the US.

As they emigrated to the US, it wasn’t a nice journey following it. Usman was a black child with a poor command of English and was regularly bullied in school. During his career in Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas, he encountered stuff, but he was never the one to give up.

As noted, he was poor in English; so, Usman attended ESL classes, which helped him master the language. All in all, as he recalls the day, he simply has a smile on his face. Usman does believe that his prior days influenced him to be what he is today.

“Growing up, you don’t really appreciate what this is doing for you and how this is molding you until I came to the stage now. I’m able to look back, and I’m like, ‘wow.’ I think so differently because of these experiences.”
-Kamaru Usman

Early Life

During his high school stay, Usman wasn’t quite the huge guy. After integrating comfortable with the American culture, Usman joined the football squad during his sophomore year.

That was when he was recommended to attempt wrestling and get into it; however, Usman had declined. Eventually, when he sustained a big injury during a football match, Usman tried to wrestle.

Little did he know, the girl he first battled was a three-time state champion, and therefore, Usman was dominated so terribly. Although a girl had toppled him, Usman did not flinch but was more driven towards it.

When he graduated high school, Usman had an amazing record of 53-3 in football and enrolled in the University of Nebraska at Kearny.

Wrestling

Nearing the conclusion of high school, Usman started wrestling and got the moniker “Marty,” as his coach couldn’t pronounce his name Kamarudeen.

During the term, Usman attempted his hands-on wrestling for a year in Iowa at William Penn University. As to the source, Usman departed Penn University owing to an inevitable reason.

When Usman was an NAIA national tournament qualifier, he couldn’t attend the event due to a snowfall; however, the coach and the squad left for the event without him. Thus, he later transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) (UNK).

During his stint in UNK, Usman earned NCAA Division II All-American honors three times and became a two-time national finalist.

Furthermore, Usman participated in the global team member for the freestyle wrestling in 2010. Right after it, former National Football League (NFL) star Christian Okoye (nicknamed The Nigerian Nightmare) granted Usman to use his nickname.

Kamaru Usman | Mixed Martial Arts Career

The MMA entered into Usman’s life exactly as the wrestling did; he blew it up without knowing.

However, in the end, Usman was training for the 2012 Olympic trials, and during those periods, he met former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans. Later, with the encouragement of Evans, Usman begun MMA and won his premier professional battle in 2012 at RFA 5 in Nebraska.

Following it was subsequently his foremost loss six months afterwards.

The Ultimate Fighter

As Usman entered the UFc as Rashad Evans’ team, he appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 21. Later, Usman battled Michael Graves and claimed his debut fight with a majority decision. As the event went, Usman bagged the victory near the finish. He claimed the match by a unanimous decision against former WSOF Welterweight Champion Steve Carl at the semifinals.

Eventually, in the finals, Usman pinned down Hayder Hassan via submission in the second round. Therefore, his effort garnered him the Night bonus’s Performance alongside a six-figure deal with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

With a successful admission into the UFC came a successful debut for it. On December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17, Usman defeated Leon Edwards through a unanimous decision. Throughout his stint in the UFC, Usman had a streak of victories all along the road.

First, Usman defeated Alexander Yakovlev at UFC on Fox 20 (unanimous decision); secondly, he took over Warlley Alves at UFC Fight Night 100 (unanimous decision) (unanimous decision). Then, he scored the victory against Sean Strickland at UFC 210 (unanimous decision) (unanimous decision).

Following that, he won UFC Fight Night 116 against Sérgio Moraes (knockout in the first round) (knockout in the first round). Afterward, Usman pinned Emil Weber Meek in UFC Fight Night 124 (unanimous decision) (unanimous decision). Later, Usman tumbled down Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 129 (unanimous decision) (unanimous decision).

Finally, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale, Usman faced Rafael dos Anjos winning him by unanimous decision, which garnered him the Performance of the Night award.

UFC Welterweight Champion

With a succession of fights, Usman had his eyes always in a focused direction. After defeating several, he was finally considered as a possible challenge to Tyron Woodley’s amazing rule.

“I’m staring at him like, ‘I’ma get at you one day. There’s no disrespect. That’s my man. We’re cool. But, you got what I want, and I don’t care whose face is linked to it.’”
-Kamaru Usman

Eventually, Usman challenged UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley in the co-main event at UFC 235.

Thus, Usman grounded his way to the top defeating Woodley via unanimous decision after dominating five rounds.

Advancing further, Usman appeared against his long-time foe Colby Covington at UFC 245. There is a distinct story behind the conflict that we shall include in the latter sections of the piece.

Their bout had plenty of blows instead of grapples claimed by Usman through a technical knockout in the fifth round. Overall, both were awarded Fight of The Night trophies for their performances. In the approaching bout, Usman trained tremendously under Trevor Wittman to meet Gilbert Burns at UFC 251.

However, towards the date of the fight, Burns was tested positive for the COVID-19 test. Hence, Jorge Masvidal came out for the game, which Usman won through a unanimous decision.

Altogether, the bout was titled to have the highest pay-per-view bought in the United States with1.3 million after the one in October 2018.

Recent News

As of December 12, 2020, at UFC 256, Usman was set to face Gilbert Burns. However, Usman is alleged to have been going through an injury treatment.

Therewith, the match has been rescheduled for February 13, 2021, at UFC 258.

Kamaru Usman | MMA Achievements and Records

Usman is a wrestler who clashes with opponents dominating by one-sided decision wins.

Therefore, he had been described as the boring boxer and battled to watch by certain reviewers.

However, Usman had a snarky remark as a punch back.

“There was a time when people started hating Floyd Mayweather‘s dominant fight, although he was good at what he does. Why? Because people want to see a bar fight? We’re risking our lives in here, and we are not up there to take punches. You train to be able to make someone miss, to control someone in a certain way. That’s what training is for, so you’re not just going in there and taking punishment at will. I do that better than anybody.”
-Kamaru Usman

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship (2010)
  • NCAA Division II Wrestling All-American (2008, 2009 & 2010)
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Welterweight Championship (One time, current)
  • First-ever Nigerian-born champion in UFC history
  • The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner
  • Performance of the Night (Two times) 
  • Fight of the Night (One time) 
  • Latest finish in UFC Welterweight history
  • Tied for most consecutive wins in the welterweight division
  • 2019 December Fight of the Month (by MMAJunkie.com)

Recent Updates

Kumaru Usman, Happy with Israel Adesanya’s victory

UFC welterweight champion, Kumaru Usman is quite happy and satisfied with Israel Adesanya’s win over Marvin Vettori.

Moreover, he adds on saying, Israel Adesanya’s win shows the superiority of Nigerian fighters.

Adesanya grabbed over the middleweight title by knocking out Vettori via unanimous decision.

Claiming Adesanya as his brother, Kumaru was feeling content to be a Nigerian and was amazed how he took over the bout. He also concluded by saying that it’s good to show how good we are in comparison to other guys.

Well, Kumaru must be taking immense pride in being a Nigerian. And after 26 years, he made it to his birthplace, visited Auchi, Nigeria.

Kumaru also plans to launch a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project in Edo state just to influence Nigerians to work and get progressive for the country.

He was a normal cool dude – Ben Askren says about Kumaru Usman

What is it between UFC welterweight champion,  Kumaru Usman, and Freelance wrestler and retired MMA Ben Askren?

Ben Askren is quite surprised and shocked at the moment to see a massive personality change in Usman after joining MMA.

Ben says, ” Usman was a “normal cool dude” while we met at the ‘Olympic Training Center’ in Colorado. We had two lobbies in the dorm. We used to hang out together and eat in the same dining hall.”

Ben claims Usman to putting in an act, he is not being real, he is not being himself. He just trying to be tough as hell which he is not. He is just fooling around which we can go through easily.

Well, we don’t know the actual truth but yes we cannot deny the fact that Usman is one of the best fighters that we have. And moreover, he has just defeated Jorge Masvidal to retrieve his welterweight strap at UFC 251.

Brother from another Mother-Francis Ngannou reveals his bond with Kumaru Usman

After a dominant win against Jorge Masvidal, Kumaru had one more fellow African UFC champion along his side, none other than UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou and Usman are part of 3 African champions in the UFC along with middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya.

Usman was there last month in Ngannou’s side as ‘The Predator’ fought Stipe Miocic.

Now, Francis will do his part by assisting Usman in fighting against Kos Jorge Masvidal and surely won’t back off from his duty.

Well, the match shares a great bond of brotherhood and claim each other as “Brother from another Mother”.

Colby Covington, Brings in Late Glenn Robinson in a fight with Kumaru

Kumaru Usman fires back heavily at Colby Covington when he crossed the limits by bringing in late Glenn Robinson in the array of insults.

Kumaru knew that he is going to get heavy doses of insults from Colby when he was placed in a fight with him at UFC 245 on December 14, 2019.

But, Colby crossed all the lines at the pre-fight press conference claiming that  Usman was the one of the reasons for the manager’s heart attack that killed him and Robinson would be watching their battle from hell.

A note, Robinson was one of the founders of the Blackzilians, a team that Usman represented on the UFC reality show before he died in 2018.

Kumaru grabbed a win over Jorge Masvidal

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman ground out a one-sided decision over Miami’s Jorge Masvidal last summer.

Following that, Jorge kept nagging for few months that it was a fluke and later Kumaru agreed to a rematch to shut everyone’s mouth this time. And the target was achieved.

At UFC 261, Usman, of Dallas by way of Nigeria, defeated Masvidal with a complete explosive right hand, a vicious battle to watch.

Kumaru Usman| Net worth

As of 2022, Usman is reported to have a net worth of $3 million.

Throughout his fighting career, Usman has won over $2,212,500 while his higher pay came through a fight against Jorge Masvidal, which was worth $640,000.

Overall, Usman is sponsored by Reebok as he has endorsement deals with Trifecta.

Furthermore, Usman has his own luxurious car collection, which includes Rolls Royce Ghost and Lamborghini Urus.

Equally important, Usman had disclosed his idea for charity works.

“Just knowing all the things I was fighting for, not just for me and for my family and not just for the continent of Africa, but for everyone all across the world that come from humble beginnings that don’t know where their next meal is going to come from, don’t know if they’re going to get clean water the next day. I was doing this for everyone. I have an excellent team, a great manager, and we’re going to put something together, we’re going to start a foundation, and we’re going to change lives.”
-Kamaru Usman

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Kamaru Usman | Private Life and Social Media

When you are in the field of media, nothing goes unseen. At times, it can be tiring to have constant light towards oneself, making it hard to live; hence, most celebrities don’t reveal much of their family.

Plunging into the case of Usman, I would like to think the same. Usman is a married man blessed with a beautiful daughter Samirah which means enchanting.

Having said this, there is no single detail about his wife, and as we guess, she must be trying hard not to get in the limelight.

Even though Usman’s secret relationship brings concern to the fans, thanks to her daughter, who takes all the media spot, Usman’s daughter is quite active in media compared to her mother.

Samirah has her own Instagram account as well as Youtube.

Kamaru Usman FAQs

Who did Kamaru Usman lose to?

Kamaru Usman loses to Jorge Masvidal in May 2013 via a rear-naked choke.

Is Kamaru Usman Islam?

Kamaru Usman does respect Islam; however, he was born to a Muslim family and now has converted to Christianity.

What is Kamaru Usman’s reach?

Kamaru Usman’s reach is 193 cm.

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