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Kamaru Usman

Kamarudeen “Kamaru” Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 21. Usman was born on May 11, 1987, and has competed in the UFC since 2015.

Early life and background

Usman was born in Auchi, Nigeria, on May 11, 1987. He is a Nigerian-American and a former freestyle and folkstyle wrestler.

Mixed martial arts career

Usman has competed in the UFC since 2015 and became UFC Welterweight Champion in 2019. He later competed in middleweight bouts after his welterweight title reign.

Championships and achievements

He is a former UFC champion and won The Ultimate Fighter 21. Multiple sources identify him as one of the most successful welterweights of his era.

Recent activity

The most recent fight listed in the provided sources is a unanimous-decision win over Joaquin Buckley on June 14, 2025. No subsequent official fight booking is provided in the supplied sources.

Key facts

  • Usman is a former UFC Welterweight Champion.
  • He won The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament.
  • He was born on May 11, 1987.
  • His most recent recorded win is over Joaquin Buckley on June 14, 2025.
  • He has competed at both welterweight and middleweight.
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Canadian context

Usman has a Canadian connection through UFC's regular events and broadcast audience in Canada, but no specific Canada-based career link is identified in the supplied sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kamaru Usman?
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist and former wrestler. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and The Ultimate Fighter 21 winner.
How old is Kamaru Usman?
He was born on May 11, 1987, so he is 39 years old as of July 23, 2026.
What is Kamaru Usman's record?
The provided sources list his professional MMA record as 21-4-0 in ESPN and Sherdog, while another source shows 21-5-0. The discrepancy likely reflects a newer bout not yet reflected across all sources.
When is Kamaru Usman's next fight?
No next fight is confirmed in the provided sources. The latest recorded bout in the sources is a win over Joaquin Buckley on June 14, 2025.
What happened to Kamaru Usman?
He lost the UFC welterweight title to Leon Edwards in 2022, lost a rematch in 2023, and later moved into middleweight bouts. The supplied sources also show a return to winning form against Joaquin Buckley in 2025.
Is Kamaru Usman retired?
No source provided states that he is retired. The supplied sources still describe him as an active UFC fighter.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamaru_Usman
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, UFC welterweight career, former champion status
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3088812/kamaru-usman
    Supports: Birthdate, division, and latest listed fight result
  3. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/kamaru-usman
    Supports: Professional status, UFC affiliation, and career statistics
  4. Sherdog — https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Kamaru-Usman-120691
    Supports: Age and professional record listing
  5. Tapology — https://tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/39265-kamarudeen-usman
    Supports: Record listing, most recent fight date, and weight class history
  6. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamaru_Usman
    Supports: Title reign dates, title loss to Leon Edwards, and later middleweight bout history