Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya: the Nigerian tigers of UFC
Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman have proved themselves as the Nigerian prides, as they two have won two different Ultimate Fighting Championship titles (Adesanya's middleweight and Usman's welterweight).
- Kamaru Usman
Usman became the 2nd muslim fighter to win the UFC title after Khabib Nurmagomedov in the lightweight. Usman won the welterweight title by defeating the previous champion Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision at the co-main event of UFC 235 (March 2, 2019). The former Ultimate Fighter champion since then has defended his welterweight title twice.
Most recently was UFC 251 (July 12, 2020), when Usman defended the title from Jorge Masvidal, which was originally scheduled for his title defense against top contender Gilbert Burns. However, it was announced on July 3 that Burns was pulled from the contest after he and his coach, Greg Jones, tested positive for COVID-19.
- Israel Adesanya
Similar to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Adesanya is also undefeated since his UFC debut in prelims of UFC 221 in February 2018. Adesanya won the interim middleweight title at UFC 236 (April 13, 2019), before beating the champion Robert Whittaker to win the UFC middleweight title on UFC 243 (October 6, 2019). Adesanya has defended his middleweight title twice, his most recent title defense against Paulo Costa on UFC 253 (September 27, 2020).
