Defining Fights: UFC 251 headliner Kamaru Usman

MMA Junkie’s Simon Head takes a look back through the fights that helped define the career of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 129 – May 19, 2018

After his win over Hassan booked his spot on the UFC roster, Usman went 6-0 in the welterweight division to earn a spot in his first main event.

His opponent, Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace and former middleweight title challenger Demian Maia, was expected to pose the trickiest test of his career so far, but Usman dominated from start to finish in Santiago, Chile to earn scores of 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 on the scorecards and pick up the biggest win of his UFC career to that point.

It proved that Usman had the skills to level up and challenge the division’s top names, and “The Nigerian Nightmare” declared his intention to capture the welterweight title during his post-fight interview as he stated, “I’m coming for that gold strap!”

Watch Kamaru Usman vs. Demian Maia on UFC Fight Pass

Next up: Booking his title shot

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