Kamaru Usman is a celebrated former UFC welterweight champion; however, behind his success are his parents, who played a significant role in shaping who he is today.
It was his parents’ journey from Nigeria to the United States and the challenges they faced that played a big role in making Kamaru the man he is today.
Kamaru was born in Auchi, Nigeria, to Muhammed Nasiru Usman and Afishetu P. Usman.
His father, Muhammed Nasiru Usman, was a major in the Nigerian Army before moving to the United States.
In Nigeria, he served with discipline and pride. After relocating, he became a pharmacist, working hard to provide for his family.
Kamaru’s mother, Afishetu P. Usman, was a teacher in Nigeria. She is a Christian, while Muhammed is Muslim, and together they raised their children with strong values.
When Kamaru was around eight years old, his family moved to Dallas, Texas, in search of better opportunities.
Muhammed and Afishetu worked hard to give their three sons, Kamaru, Kashetu, and Mohammed, a good life in America.
However, their lives took a difficult turn in 2009 when Muhammed was arrested on 14 federal charges related to healthcare fraud involving his ambulance company.
In 2010, he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He served nearly 10 years before being released in March 2021.
During Muhammed’s imprisonment, Afishetu faced the tough task of raising Kamaru and his brothers alone.
As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to keep the family together. She juggled jobs and responsibilities while supporting her sons’ dreams.
Kamaru Credits His Parents’ Struggles and Sacrifices for His Successful Career!
Coveted UFC fighter Kamaru has been vocal about the challenges his family faced. He has expressed deep respect for his mother, often crediting her for holding the family together during his father’s absence.
In interviews, he has shared how Afishetu’s determination pushed him to work harder in his career.
For example, in a 2021 interview after UFC 261, Kamaru spoke emotionally about his mother’s sacrifices, saying she was his rock during tough times.
She made sacrifices to ensure her boys had what they needed, even when money was tight and emotions were heavy.
Kamaru has openly talked about his father’s imprisonment on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, saying it was one of the hardest things his family went through.
Likewise, he also defended his father, believing in his innocence despite the conviction. He has criticized the U.S. justice system, pointing out how it affected his family.
In a post-fight interview at UFC 261, Kamaru dedicated his win to his father, who was in the audience for the first time since his release.
He said, “This is for you, Dad,” which speaks volumes about how much it meant to have his father witness his success after years apart.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Kamaru Usman was previously in a long-term relationship with Eleslie Dietzsch. They reportedly separated in 2022, as Usman mentioned being single during an appearance on the Andrew Schulz podcast, stating, “Yeah, I was in a relationship until earlier this year.”
- Has one daughter, Samirah Usman, born in August 2014, with his ex-partner Eleslie Dietzsch.
