Former Wildcat Mohammed Usman wins Ultimate Fighter in UFC

Since his football career at Arizona needed, former Wildcat defensive lineman Mohammed Usman has turned his focus to Mixed Martial Arts. 

His career may not have lasted long in Tucson, but after a short stint with the Wildcats, former Arizona Football defensive end Mohammed Usman has been finding his path in professional fighting.

Following in the footsteps of his highly successful older brother, Kamaru Usman, the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, Mohammed took another massive step forward in his professional fighting career on Saturday.

Appearing in UFC’s Ultimate Fighter, a tv series and mixed martial arts competition that features several MMA athletes, everyone comes in with the same goal, winning a prized six-figure contract in the UFC.

Competing at the UFC’s Apex in Las Vegas, NV, Usman would face Zac Pauga aka ‘The Ripper’. Last just a few minutes, Mohammed (8-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) took down Pauga with a massive knockout in the second round.

Earning his right to now compete in the UFC, former Wildcat Mohammed Usman is on an impressive trajectory like his brother.

Originally hailing from Nigeria, the Usman brothers came to the United States as children, where they settled in Dallas before becoming world-renowned athletes.

Kamaru would take to fighting and wrestling, meanwhile, his young brother Mohammed, became a D1 recruit in football, eventually making his way to Tucson where he played with the Arizona Football program under Mike Stoops.

Appearing with the Wildcats from 2010-11, Usman would appear in 14 games with the Wildcats, totaling 21 tackles (10 solo) with a sack and a tackle for loss.

While his football career didn’t necessarily pan out as he hoped, Mohammed is well on his way to following his brothers’ footsteps in professional fighting. So far, he picked up his first win in the UFC and has also earned a lucrative, six-figure contract.

Here is just a recap of that fight. (Please be advised that these highlights can be a little disturbing if fighting bothers you).

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