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Kamarudeen Usman

Born
1987-05-11 (age 39)
Birthplace
Auchi, Edo, Nigeria
Occupation
Mixed Martial Artist, Freestyle Wrestler, Folkstyle Wrestler, Actor
Alma Mater
William Penn University, University of Nebraska at Kearney
AKA
Kamaru Usman, The Nigerian Nightmare
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Biography

EARLY LIFE

Kamarudeen Usman was born on May 11, 1987, in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. His father was a major in the Nigerian Army and his mother was a teacher. The family immigrated to Dallas, Texas, when Usman was eight years old. He has two brothers, Kashetu and Mohammed.

CAREER

Usman began wrestling in high school in Arlington, Texas, where he earned the nickname 'Marty'. He wrestled at William Penn University and later at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, becoming the NCAA Division II national champion in 2010. After an unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2012 US Olympic Team in freestyle wrestling, Usman transitioned to mixed martial arts. He made his professional MMA debut in November 2012 and later became a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 21, which he won in 2015. He went on to become the UFC Welterweight Champion on March 2, 2019, and successfully defended his title five times. Usman has also appeared as an actor in films such as 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' (2022) and 'The Naked Gun' (2025).

PERSONAL LIFE

Usman is a devoted father with a daughter, Samirah, born in 2014. He identifies as a Muslim.

Filmography

No filmography available for this person yet.

Box Office

Weekly Top Grossing
1

3 Cold Dishes

₦5,331,351.00

Week 51
2

Gingerrr

₦12,727,775.00

Week 47
3

Gingerrr

₦21,139,500.00

Week 46
4

The Herd

₦16,977,673.00

Week 46
5

3 Cold Dishes

₦15,261,240.00

Week 46

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