History of Kamaru Usman in Timeline

Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion, competing in the UFC's Welterweight division. Usman gained prominence as the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament. As of May 2025, he is ranked #5 in the UFC welterweight rankings.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 11, 1987: Kamaru Usman's Birth

On May 11, 1987, Kamarudeen Usman was born. He is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler, and graduated folkstyle wrestler.

Others born on this day/year

2007: NAIA National Tournament Qualifier

In 2007, while wrestling at William Penn University, Usman was an NAIA national tournament qualifier, but was unable to attend due to a snowstorm.

2008: Helped UNK win First Title

In 2008, Usman helped the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) win their first-ever team title.

May 2010: Father's Conviction

In May 2010, Usman's father, Muhammed Nasiru Usman, was convicted of offenses including health care fraud and money laundering and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

2010: NCAA Division II National Champion

In 2010, Usman became the NCAA Division II national champion at 174 pounds, finishing the season with a 44–1 record and 30 straight wins.

2010: U.S. University World Team Selection

In 2010, Usman made the U.S. University World Team in freestyle wrestling while a resident of the United States Olympic Training Center.

2011: Wrestling Coach for Team Miller

In 2011, Usman served as the wrestling coach for Team Miller in The Ultimate Fighter season fourteen.

November 2012: Professional MMA Debut

In November 2012, after failing to qualify for the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling, Usman made his professional MMA debut.

2012: Olympic Dreams Abandoned

In 2012, after failing to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Usman abandoned his Olympic goal and transitioned to mixed martial arts. Former NFL star Christian Okoye gave his blessing for Usman to use the nickname "The Nigerian Nightmare".

2014: Birth of Daughter

In 2014, Usman's daughter was born.

February 2015: Selected for The Ultimate Fighter 21

In February 2015, it was announced that Usman was selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter 21.

July 12, 2015: The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale Winner

On July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale, Usman faced Hayder Hassan and won via submission in the second round, securing a six-figure contract with the UFC. He also received the Performance of the Night award.

December 19, 2015: UFC Debut vs. Leon Edwards

On December 19, 2015, Usman made his official UFC debut against Leon Edwards at UFC on Fox 17, winning by unanimous decision.

2015: Tryout for The Ultimate Fighter

In early 2015, Kamaru Usman tried out for The Ultimate Fighter after compiling a 5-1 record in regional MMA promotions.

May 14, 2016: Pulled out of UFC 198

On May 14, 2016, Usman was expected to face Sérgio Moraes at UFC 198, but he pulled out of the bout on May 1 for undisclosed reasons.

July 23, 2016: UFC on Fox 20 Victory

On July 23, 2016, Usman faced Alexander Yakovlev at UFC on Fox 20, winning via unanimous decision after out-grappling him.

November 19, 2016: UFC Fight Night 100 Win

On November 19, 2016, Usman faced Warlley Alves at UFC Fight Night 100, winning by unanimous decision for the third-straight time.

April 8, 2017: UFC 210 Victory Over Sean Strickland

On April 8, 2017, Usman faced Sean Strickland at UFC 210 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

September 16, 2017: Knockout Win Over Sérgio Moraes

On September 16, 2017, Usman faced Sérgio Moraes at UFC Fight Night 116 and won the fight via one-punch knockout in the first round.

December 30, 2017: UFC 219 Fight Rescheduled

On December 30, 2017, Usman was scheduled to face Emil Weber Meek at UFC 219, but Meek had VISA problems and the pair was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 124.

May 19, 2018: UFC Fight Night 129 Victory

On May 19, 2018, Usman faced Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 129, replacing the injured Santiago Ponzinibbio. Usman won the fight via unanimous decision.

October 2018: Comparison to UFC 229

In October 2018, UFC 229 set a record. The UFC 251 card reportedly generated 1.3 million pay-per-view buys in the United States, the most since UFC 229 in October 2018.

November 30, 2018: The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale Victory

On November 30, 2018, Usman faced Rafael dos Anjos at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale and won the fight via unanimous decision, earning his second Performance of the Night award.

March 2, 2019: UFC Welterweight Champion

On March 2, 2019, Usman faced UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 and won the fight via unanimous decision, becoming the new champion.

December 14, 2019: First Title Defense Against Colby Covington

On December 14, 2019, Usman defended his title against Colby Covington at UFC 245. He won via technical knockout in the fifth round, setting the record for the latest finish in UFC welterweight history. This fight earned both participants the Fight of the Night award.

July 3, 2020: Burns Tests Positive for COVID-19

On July 3, 2020, it was revealed that Gilbert Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and was subsequently removed from his scheduled title fight against Usman at UFC 251.

July 5, 2020: Masvidal Steps in to Fight Usman

On July 5, 2020, Jorge Masvidal stepped in on short notice to replace Gilbert Burns and fight Usman at UFC 251.

July 12, 2020: UFC 251 Victory Over Jorge Masvidal

On July 12, 2020, Usman was originally scheduled to defend his title against Gilbert Burns at UFC 251, but Jorge Masvidal stepped in on short notice to replace Burns. Usman won via unanimous decision.

October 5, 2020: Usman Pulls Out of UFC 256

On October 5, 2020, It was reported that Usman had pulled out from the bout at UFC 256, citing more time needed to recover from undisclosed injuries.

December 12, 2020: UFC 256 Bout Postponed

On December 12, 2020, Usman was once again scheduled to defend his title against Gilbert Burns at UFC 256. However, the bout was postponed.

February 13, 2021: Third Title Defense at UFC 258

On February 13, 2021, Usman defended his title for the third time against Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, winning via technical knockout in the third round and surpassing Georges St-Pierre for the largest win-streak in the division with thirteen. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

March 16, 2021: Father's Release from Prison

On March 16, 2021, Usman's father, Muhammed Nasiru Usman, was released from FCI Seagoville.

April 24, 2021: Fifth Title Defense Against Jorge Masvidal

On April 24, 2021, Usman rematched against Jorge Masvidal for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 261 in Florida. He successfully defended his title after knocking out Masvidal in the second round, becoming the first to do so in the UFC. This win earned Usman his fourth Performance of the Night bonus award.

November 6, 2021: Title Defense Against Colby Covington

On November 6, 2021, Usman rematched Colby Covington for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 268. Usman retained his championship, being declared the winner via unanimous decision.

August 20, 2022: Title Loss to Leon Edwards

On August 20, 2022, Usman met Leon Edwards in a rematch at UFC 278, attempting to make his sixth title defense. Usman lost the fight and title via knockout late in the fifth round, marking Usman's first loss inside the UFC.

2022: Appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In 2022, Usman was a guest star in the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, playing a naval officer.

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March 18, 2023: Loss to Edwards in Trilogy Fight

On March 18, 2023, the third fight between Usman and Edwards took place at UFC 286 for the UFC Welterweight Championship. He lost the bout via majority decision.

October 21, 2023: Middleweight Debut Loss to Chimaev

On October 21, 2023, Usman stepped in on short notice to face Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout at UFC 294, marking his middleweight MMA debut. He lost the fight via majority decision.