Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman (born May 11, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler. He currently competes in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the former UFC Welterweight Champion. Usman is also The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner. As of November 14, 2022, he is #1 in the UFC men's welterweight rankings, and as of October 24, 2023, he is #13 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. As a freestyle wrestler, Usman primarily competed at , and was a 2010 U.S. University World Team Member. Collegiately, he competed at , and was the 2010 NCAA Division II national champion, a three–time NCAA Division II All-American, and a NAIA national qualifier. Background Usman was born in Auchi, Edo state of Nigeria. His father was a major in the Nigerian Army and his mother was a teacher. He has two brothers, Kashetu and Mohammed, the latter of whom is also a mixed martial artist and fellow The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner. 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. Wrestling career Usman started wrestling in his sophomore year in high school, 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.