Mohammed Usman – Page 4 – Syndication Server

Titan FC 63 results: Mohammed Usman, Kamaru Usman’s brother, dominates in main event

Kamaru Usman’s brother picked up another dominant win at Titan FC 63.

[autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag] is picking up steam.

The brother of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman notched a dominant decision win over Terrance Hodges in the main event of Titan FC 63 on Friday in Miami, Fla. Usman won decisively with 30-27 sweep on all three scorecards.

It was a performance that could’ve warranted several 10-8 rounds, as it was a one-sided affair from Usman’s part. Usman took down and controlled Hodges in all three rounds of the heavyweight contest, which took place at InterContinental Miami and streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

Hodges (2-7) never had any offense going in the bout, as Usman (7-1) added to his near-perfect career record while his brother looked on from the corner.

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The 31-year-old Usman was a big favorite in the main event, as his opponent entered the cage with three times more losses than wins. “Motor” is now on a four-fight winning streak since suffering his first defeat in early 2018 against Don’Tale Mayes under the Victory FC banner.

Usman’s win marked the lone time at Titan FC 63 where the judges were needed. The previous five fights ended inside the distance, including four-straight first round finishes to open the card.

Full Titan FC 63 results included:

Mohammed Usman def. Terrance Hodges via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Wascar Cruz def. Christian Ynastrilla via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:05 – to win vacant flyweight title
Devon Dixon def. Jose Vasquez via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:57
Gustavo Villamil def. Nekoro Bunsie via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:52
Sal Guerrirero def. John Birdson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:48
Ryan Kuse def. Earnest Walls via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:27

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Mohammed Usman: Signing with PFL ‘made sense’ over UFC, Bellator and ONE

Mohammed Usman admits he was caught off guard when PFL reached out about joining the roster for the 2020 season.

[autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag] admits he was caught off guard when the PFL reached out to his team about joining the roster for the 2020 season.

Usman (6-1 MMA) said the promotion wasn’t initially part of his next-fight discussions after picking up a 48-second knockout win under the Titan FC banner in December. There were a number of top-tier organizations potentially vying for his services, but PFL came in with an offer he couldn’t resist.

“We looked at all our options and everywhere we could to take the next step,” Usman told MMA Junkie. “PFL really just came out of nowhere and it was a really great deal, so we had to take it. Bellator’s always been there for me, but we also had ONE (Championship) and the UFC. At this point in my career it just made sense to go to the PFL.”

Although the PFL’s most valuable attraction is the $1 million prize awarded to the annual champion in each weight class, the financial upside wasn’t the only thing that lured Usman. The unique format of putting fighters through a regular season, playoffs and championship round could mean five fights in a year for Usman, and that’s just what he needs going into his fourth year as a pro.

At 30, Usman can build up crucial experience as he tries to maximize his potential.

“It’s really mental,” Usman said. “You’ve got to really be able to use your mind in certain fights to the point where you can’t just go in there and have a complete, all-out brawl with a guy. You’ve got another fight coming right up. It really makes you think for yourself.”

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If Usman can make the most of his PFL opportunity, he could win $1 million and build a legacy separate from his brother, UFC welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman. And with PFL as an ESPN broadcast partner, he can do it on a stage with a heavy reach in MMA.

“I really, really like the platform PFL is designed on,” Usman said. “We’re on the same platform as the UFC with the fights on ESPN. Then of course, the money. It’s always good when organization shows they believe in you and PFL showed how much they believe in me. That’s a testament to what they’re trying to do.”

Usman is expected to make his PFL debut in the opening weeks of the 2020 season, which begins in May.

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Rising from humble beginnings, Kamaru Usman has inspired brother Mohammed

It’s been a wild ride for Kamaru Usman, and no one has been able to experience the journey closer than his brother, Mohammed.

On Saturday night, [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] will defend his welterweight title for the first time against bitter rival Colby Covington at UFC 245.

It’s been a wild ride for Usman (15-1 MMA, 10-0 UFC) – and no one has experienced the 32-year-old champion’s journey quite like his younger brother, [autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag].

A Titan Fighting heavyweight, Mohammed (5-1 MMA) draws great inspiration from his brother’s journey from humble beginnings in Nigeria to UFC title gold.

“It’s super motivational,” Mohammed told MMA Junkie. “Every time that I watch him or see his success, it’s a blueprint. I’ve seen how hard he works. I’ve seen everything he’s done. But it’s just the blueprint.

“You’ve got to take it one day at a time. One training session at a time. One fight at a time. Then eventually, you’ll be at the top. You’ll just beat everybody. Just take it one fight at a time and you’ll get to the top.”

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Mohammed and Kamaru grew up in Auchi, a city in south central Nigeria. The struggles endured making their way in a third-world country were tough in the short-term. But in the long term? They are the ingredients Mohammed attributes to his family’s success.

“Our minds work in a different way where we’ve seen the bottom,” Mohammed said. “A lot of people have said they seen the bottom, but they don’t understand. Because they haven’t lived in a third world country where they have to walk miles to get food. People say they’re at the bottom, but you can still go to Jack In The Box and order a $5 sandwich. Like, ‘Man, I’m broke.’

“But you haven’t hard to walk five or six miles with our mom. Just so she can sell baby clothes, so we can eat that day. Then, we walk back home and live in a village with no electricity. I feel like what’s on my back and on my shoulders isn’t just success for my coaches and my family. It’s for my heritage. There’s more to it than just fighting for us. We’re trying to show the world that us Africans, us Nigerians, we’re a special breed.”

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Mohammed said he and his brothers, Kamaru and Kash, hope to be an inspiration for those who come from nothing. Leading by example, the Usman brothers serve to prove how powerful self-belief is.

“I want people to take our story,” Mohammed said. “With Kamaru and Kash (a pharmacist), I want people to take our story and know. If you really believe in yourself deep down, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish if you put the effort.”

Every day, Mohammed walks into Texas’ Fortis MMA for a grueling training session. Before the hard work begins, the same image enters his mind. He visualizes himself standing next to his brother – UFC titles around both of their waists. Someday, Mohammed thinks his dream will become a reality.

“Before every training session, I visualize the belt around my waist,” Mohammed said. “And I visualize my brother standing right next to me with his belt. That’s all going to come to reality. Just visualization.

“I try to visualize myself with the belt all the time. And I know that time will come when that will happen. So if I keep doing that and then it will appear.”

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On the Doorstep: 5 fighters who could make MMA big leagues with December wins

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey starts long before they strap on UFC or Bellator gloves.

Every champion in MMA history started out somewhere.

For those who make it to the highest stage, the journey starts long before they strap on UFC or Bellator gloves. Modern-era fighters progress through the regional ranks with hopes of accomplishing the highest accolades. Many will try, but few will succeed.

This November, five fighters on the verge of achieving major-promotion notoriety return to the cage for what could be their stepping stone fights. There are dozens of fighters inches away from making the jump in the coming weeks, but these five are particularly exemplary.

This month:

A 22-year-old Canadian featherweight phenom will look to once again show he’s wise beyond his years.
With MMA soon to be legalized in his home country, a French bantamweight will look to get back to the UFC – where he went 3-1 from 2015 to 2016.
A hard-hitting Brazilian will look to piggyback off the momentum of a violent knockout win in his LFA headliner debut last time around.
After he was passed over on “Dana White’s Contender Series,” a Donald Cerrone training partner hopes another tally in the win column will be the tipping point.
The older brother of a UFC champion looks to continue his ascent up the ladder to join his brother in the big leagues.

Scroll through the following pages to see the five fighters who this month find themselves on the doorstep:

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