If you are a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA), you have probably heard of Kamaru Usman, the UFC welterweight champion and one of the best fighters in the world. But did you know that he has a younger brother who is also a professional MMA fighter? His name is Mohammed Usman, and he is a heavyweight contender in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). In this article, we will explore the relationship between the two Usman brothers, their background, their achievements, and their future goals.
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The Usman brothers: From Nigeria to America
Mohammed and Kamaru Usman were born in Auchi, Nigeria, a city in the Edo State. They grew up in a poor family, with their mother working as a tailor and their father as a soldier. They had to walk for miles every day to sell clothes with their mother, and they faced many hardships and challenges. According to Sportskeeda, they had limited access to basic amenities like electricity and transportation.
The Usman brothers moved to the United States when they were young, following their father who had immigrated earlier. They settled in Arlington, Texas, where they attended Bowie High School. They both excelled in wrestling, with Kamaru winning three state titles and Mohammed earning a scholarship to play football at the University of Arizona.
The Usman brothers: From football to fighting
Mohammed Usman had always dreamed of becoming a professional football player, and he was recruited as a defensive end by the Arizona Wildcats. However, he suffered a knee injury that derailed his football career. He then transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he joined his brother Kamaru, who was already a wrestling star.
Kamaru Usman graduated from college in 2010 with a degree in sociology and started his MMA career shortly after. He won his first six fights before joining The Ultimate Fighter 21, where he emerged as the winner and earned a contract with the UFC. He quickly rose through the ranks of the welterweight division, defeating notable opponents like Leon Edwards, Demian Maia, Rafael dos Anjos, Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Burns, and most recently, Kamaru Usman. He is currently on a 15-fight winning streak and is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
Mohammed Usman followed his brother’s footsteps and started training MMA in 2015. He made his professional debut in 2016 and won his first four fights by knockout or submission. He then signed with Titan FC, where he won two more fights before joining the PFL in 2020. He was supposed to compete in the PFL’s heavyweight tournament that year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he opted to fight at Titan FC 63 instead, where he defeated Terrance Hodges by unanimous decision.
The Usman brothers: From siblings to champions
Mohammed and Kamaru Usman have a close bond as brothers and as fighters. They support each other’s careers and train together at Sanford MMA in Florida. They also share a common goal: to become champions in their respective weight classes.
Kamaru Usman has already achieved that goal, as he is the reigning UFC welterweight champion since 2019. He has defended his belt five times so far, breaking records for the most consecutive wins (15) and most takedowns (87) in UFC welterweight history. He is also ranked as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter by ESPN and MMA Junkie.
Mohammed Usman is still working towards that goal, as he is set to compete in the PFL’s heavyweight tournament this year. He will face Zac Pauga in the final of The Ultimate Fighter 30 on August 8th at UFC on ESPN 40. If he wins that fight, he will earn a spot in the PFL’s regular season, where he will have a chance to fight for the $1 million prize and the PFL heavyweight title.
Mohammed Usman has said that he visualizes himself standing next to his brother with both of them holding belts. He also said that he loves being compared to his brother because it motivates him to work harder. He believes that he has what it takes to become a champion like his brother.
Conclusion
Mohammed Usman is related to Kamaru Usman by blood and by passion. They are brothers who share a love for MMA and a desire to be champions. They have overcome many obstacles and challenges in their lives, from poverty in Nigeria to injuries in America. They have also inspired each other and many others with their success and dedication. They are the Usman brothers, and they are here to stay.
