Kamarudeen Usman (born May 11, 1987) is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler, and graduated folkstyle wrestler. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Welterweight Champion. Usman is also The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner. He is considered one of the greatest welterweights of all time. He holds the records for longest winning streak in the UFC welterweight division at 15 and takedown defense percentage (97.3%). As of September 5, 2026, he is #12 in the Meta UFC welterweight rankings.
As a freestyle wrestler, Usman primarily competed at 84 kilograms (185 lb), and was a 2010 U.S. University World Team Member. Collegiately, he competed at 174 pounds (79 kg), and was the 2010 NCAA Division II national champion, a three–time NCAA Division II All-American, and a NAIA national qualifier.
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Early life
Usman was born in Auchi, Edo state of Nigeria. His father was a major in the Nigerian Army and his mother was a teacher. Usman had a modest upbringing during his childhood. Usman's father Muhammed Nasiru Usman, who became a pharmacist in the United States, brought his family into the country when Usman was eight years old, immigrating to Dallas, Texas. He has two brothers, Kashetu and Mohammed, the latter of whom is also a mixed martial artist and fellow The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner.
Wrestling career
Usman started wrestling in his sophomore year at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. Because Usman's wrestling coach at the time had trouble pronouncing his first name Kamarudeen, he got the nickname "Marty" when he joined the team and it stuck with him during his amateur wrestling career. After compiling a 53–3 record as a senior and placing third at the Texas state championships, Usman wrestled at the senior national tournament before leaving for college.
In college, Usman wrestled in Iowa at William Penn University for one year, where he was an NAIA national tournament qualifier in 2007, but was unable to attend the tournament due to a snowstorm; half of his team and his head coach, however, left early for the tournament without him, which frustrated Usman and influenced him to leave William Penn. He later transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), which previously tried to recruit him under advisement of then-UNK wrestler Tervel Dlagnev, and subsequently helped the Lopers win their first-ever team title in 2008. Usman placed top three in the nation all three years he attended UNK and was a two-time national finalist. He became the NCAA Division II national champion at 174 pounds in 2010, finishing the season with a 44–1 record and 30 straight wins.
Shortly after his folkstyle career was over, Usman turned his attention to freestyle wrestling and became a resident of the United States Olympic Training Center, with hopes of making the 2012 Olympic team. Despite making the U.S. University World Team in 2010, Usman was sidetracked by injuries and eventually abandoned his Olympic goal after failing to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, turning his attention to mixed martial arts instead. Former National Football League (NFL) star Christian Okoye, who has the nickname "The Nigerian Nightmare" trademarked, gave his blessing for Usman to use it.
Mixed martial arts career
Professional MMA career
In 2011, Usman served as the wrestling coach for Team Miller in The Ultimate Fighter season fourteen. After failing to qualify for the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling, 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 21.
In his TUF debut and quarterfinal bout of the bracket, Usman faced undefeated eventual Titan FC Welterweight Champion Michael Graves. He won the fight via majority decision.
In the semifinals, Usman faced off against long-time veteran and former WSOF Welterweight Champion Steve Carl. He won the fight via unanimous decision and advanced to the finals.
In the finals, Usman faced Hayder Hassan on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale. He won the bout via submission in the second round, thus winning a six-figure contract with the UFC. He was also awarded the Performance of the Night award.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his official debut as a UFC athlete, Usman faced future champion Leon Edwards on December 19, 2015, at UFC on Fox 17. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Usman was expected to face two-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Sérgio Moraes on May 14, 2016, at UFC 198. However, it was announced on May 1 that Usman had pulled out of the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Luan Chagas.
In his first bout of the year, Usman faced Alexander Yakovlev on July 23, 2016, at UFC on Fox 20. He won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision after out-grappling Yakovlev.
Usman faced TUF: Brazil 3 tournament winner Warlley Alves on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 100. He won the match by unanimous decision for the third-straight time.
Usman faced former long-time KOTC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210. He once again won the fight via unanimous decision.
A rescheduled bout with a Sérgio Moraes on a seven-match unbeaten streak eventually took place on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116. Usman won the fight via one-punch knockout in the first round.
Usman was scheduled to face Venator FC Welterweight Champion Emil Weber Meek on December 30, 2017, at UFC 219, however, Meek presented VISA problems and the pair was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 124. Usman won the fight by unanimous decision after out-wrestling his opponent.
Usman was expected to face Santiago Ponzinibbio on May 19, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129. However, on April 21, Ponzinibbio was pulled from the card due to injury and replaced by ADCC Grappling World Champion and two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia. After denying all of Maia's fifteen attempts of takedowns and out-performing his opponent on the feet, Usman won the fight via unanimous decision.
Fighting style
Usman began his UFC career with a wrestling-heavy style, often relying on his NCAA Division II background to dominate opponents with pressure, clinch control, and takedowns against the fence.
Over time, especially under the coaching of Trevor Wittman, Usman’s striking evolved significantly. He began fighting at range more often, developing a powerful jab and greater comfort in exchanges. His knockout wins over Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal showcased this transformation, with Usman mixing clean punching mechanics with measured aggression.
Usman's fighting style emphasized control above all—whether through position, rhythm, or timing. His ability to blend phases of the fight, switching between striking, clinch work, and takedown threats, made him one of the most well-rounded welterweights in UFC history.
Personal life
Born to a Muslim father and Christian mother, Usman identifies as a Muslim. His father, Muhammed Nasiru Usman, who had previous convictions in Tarrant County for theft and drunk driving, was convicted in May 2010 of offenses including health care fraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,300,000 in restitution. He was released from FCI Seagoville on March 16, 2021.
Usman has a daughter who was born in 2014.
Usman has a younger brother named Mohammed who was also in The Ultimate Fighter, in the Heavyweight division, winning the UFC contract and becoming the first two brothers to do so.
Usman was a guest star in the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), playing a naval officer. Usman appears as an MMA fighter along with fellow UFC fighter Justin Gaethje in the 2025 film The Naked Gun.
In 2024, Usman endorsed Donald Trump for President of the United States.
Championships and accomplishments
Folkstyle wrestling
National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA Division II National Championship (174 lbs, 2010)
NCAA Division II All-American (174 lbs, 2008, 2009, 2010)
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
NAIA National Qualifier (165 lbs, 2007)
University Interscholastic League
UIL All-State out of Bowie High School (145 lbs, 2005)
National Wrestling Coaches Association
Jim Koch Division II Hall of Fame, 2022 Class
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC Welterweight Championship (One time)
Five successful title defenses
Third most title fight wins in UFC Welterweight division history (6)
Latest knockout in UFC title fight history vs. Colby Covington
First Nigerian-born UFC champion
The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner
Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Colby Covington 1, Joaquin Buckley and Dricus du Plessis
Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Hayder Hassan, Rafael dos Anjos, Gilbert Burns, and Jorge Masvidal 2
Latest finish in UFC Welterweight history vs. Colby Covington
Most consecutive wins in UFC Welterweight history (15)
Third most consecutive wins in UFC History (15)
Tied (Belal Muhammad) for most unanimous decision wins in UFC Welterweight division history (11)
Tied (Rafael dos Anjos, Brad Tavares & Belal Muhammad) for second most unanimous decision wins in UFC history (11)
Fourth most decision wins in UFC Welterweight division history (11)
Tied (Vicente Luque) for fourth most wins in UFC Welterweight division history (16)