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Best Of Updated 15 July 2026

Best Kamaru Usman Fights: Ranking His Road to Two Title Runs

Kamaru Usman, wearing a jacket referencing his 'Nigerian Nightmare' nickname, at a UFC event
Photo: JoeKhanMMA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Before this Saturday’s move to middleweight, Kamaru Usman built one of the great welterweight title reigns in UFC history — five defenses across three years, against three of the division’s most dangerous names. Here’s the run that earned him the “Nigerian Nightmare” nickname, and why a win over Dricus Du Plessis this week would add a second-division chapter to it.

1

def. Tyron Woodley — UFC 235 (Mar 2019)

A dominant decision that took the welterweight title and made Usman the first African-born UFC champion.

Why we recommend it

Every great reign has a night-one win, and this is Usman's — the fight where 'The Nigerian Nightmare' era actually begins.

What we disliked

It was a lopsided decision rather than a finish — a statement win, but not the most exciting 25 minutes on this list.

2

def. Colby Covington — UFC 245 (Dec 2019)

First title defense, a genuine grudge match, ending in a fifth-round TKO with Covington fighting through a broken jaw.

Why we recommend it

The build-up was as vicious as the fight itself, and Usman backed up every word of it by finishing a legitimately dangerous opponent late.

What we disliked

The genuine animosity between the two men pushed the pre-fight discourse into ugly territory that overshadowed how good the fight itself was.

3

def. Jorge Masvidal (rematch) — UFC 261 (Apr 2021)

A single second-round left hand ended the rematch in one of the most replayed knockouts in UFC history.

Why we recommend it

If you only ever watch one Usman highlight, this is it — a wrestling-first champion proving he could end a fight standing, instantly.

What we disliked

It's a two-minute highlight rather than a full fight — great as a clip, less to chew on if you want 25 minutes of championship rounds.

Also Worth a Look

# Site Note
4 def. Jorge Masvidal (first meeting) — UFC 251 (Jul 2020) Short-notice title defense on Fight Island, won by decision — the tune-up that set up the knockout rematch.
5 def. Gilbert Burns — UFC 258 (Feb 2021) Third-round TKO over a top-ranked, high-pace grappler — one of the more physically dominant defenses of the reign.
6 def. Colby Covington (rematch) — UFC 268 (Nov 2021) A closer decision the second time around, and the last successful defense before the Edwards knockout ended the reign.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long was Kamaru Usman's welterweight title reign?

From March 2019 to August 2022 — five successful title defenses before Leon Edwards knocked him out at UFC 278.

What ended Usman's title reign?

A trailing Leon Edwards landed a fifth-round head-kick knockout at UFC 278 in August 2022. Usman lost the rematch by decision the following year and a later fight at middleweight against Khamzat Chimaev, before snapping the skid with a win over Joaquin Buckley.

Is Kamaru Usman still fighting at welterweight?

He's moving up to middleweight this week to challenge Dricus Du Plessis — a permanent move would likely follow a win.

Where can I watch Usman fight this week?

He fights Dricus du Plessis in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday 18 July — our full how-to-watch guide, including a free stream, is on the site.