History was made in the wee hours of the morning as Nigerian-born Kamaru Usman became the new UFC champion after defeating Tyron Woodley.
Usman becomes the first
UFC Welterweight Champion, Kamaru Usman has become the first African-born and Nigerian UFC Champion. He’s undefeated in the UFC. pic.twitter.com/jhUrMPlQyF
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 3, 2019
The 31-year-old achieved this success in Las Vegas when he defeated defending champion Tyron Woodley for five rounds
Usman won via a unanimous decision capturing scores of 50-44, 50-44, and 50-45 on the judges’ scorecard.
Woodley had been the UFC’s 170-pound champ since July 2016 and defended the belt four times before losing to the Nigerian fighter.
Usman celebrated in the cage with his daughter before his hand was raised in victory.
“I’ve been wanting this fight, and I’ll be honest, I might not be the best striker in the world. I might not be the best wrestler in the world,” Kamaru Usman said after being crowned champion.
”But when it comes to mixing this stuff up, I’m the best in the world right now,”