Kamaru Usman (20-1), the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion and no 1 pound for pound fighter is the latest to be inducted into the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Hall of Fame.
Kamaru Usman announces retirement from wrestling following NWCA Hall of Fame induction
Before his surge in the world of mixed martial arts, Kamaru Usman showed his prowess on the mat. A former freestyle wrestler and folkstyle wrestling graduate, “The Nigerian Nightmare” represeted the Nebraska–Kearney Lopers at NCAA Division II National Championships and won three medals – a bronze in 2008, a silver in 2009 and a gold at at 174lb in 2010.
Back in July, Usman’s stellar achievements in wrestling were acclaimed with an induction into the NWCA Hall of Fame. The ceremony was recorded and shared by the UFC on YouTube. During the ceremony, the 35-year-old also officially announced his retirement from wrestling.
“Thank you guys so much for introducing me to such a wonderful sport. You guys truly demanded excellence from me, which set the tone for the rest of my life. UNK was responsible for exposing me to not just high level wrestling, but the world of MMA,” said Usman.
Usman is all set to return to the Octagon on 20th August at UFC 278 taking place at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, when he rematches Leon Edwards. Ahead of making his sixth title defense, Usman said that while he is bidding adieu from wrestling, Edwards will be tested against his grappling skills.
“So today, accepting this honor, I can truly say that I am officially retiring from the sport of competitive wrestling. But on August 20th, my opponent, don’t think I won’t wrestle. Because I will. I’m damn sure gonna wrestle,” Usman added. [H/T MMA News]
UFC 278 Full Fight Card:
MAIN CARD
- Welterweight Title Fight: Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Leon Edwards
- Middleweight: Luke Rockhold vs. Paulo Costa
- Bantamweight: Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili
- Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Alexandr Romanov
- Light Heavyweight: Tyson Pedro vs. Harry Hunsucker
UNDERCARD
- Lightweight: Leonardo Santos vs. Jared Gordon
- Women’s Bantamweight: Wu Yanan vs. Lucie Pudilova
- Featherweight: Sean Woodson vs. Luis Saldana
- Welterweight: A.J. Fletcher vs. Ange Loosa
- Flyweight: Amir Albazi vs. Francisco Figueiredo
- Bantamweight: Aoriqileng vs. Jay Perrin
- Flyweight: Victor Altamirano vs. Daniel Da Silva
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