Reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has pledged to partner with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to develop mixed martial arts (MMA) in Nigeria.
The Nigerian-American welterweight champion made the pledge in Abuja on Friday when he paid a courtesy visit to Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare.
“I’m so happy to be back home, we’re looking to put something in place, something new, refreshing and revolutionary that is going to get young people excited.
“We want to move this country forward, move it to a better place, we know there is a lot of frustration in the country, so we want to change that.
“Obviously we will be working with the Ministry of Sports to put the structures in place, to physically create centers where young people can participate (in MMA) and possibly change their lives, which in turn will trigger the change to affect people. lives all over the world, ”he said. mentionned.
The Nigerian nightmare said the visit to Nigeria had to go back to his roots, having left Nigeria’s shores for the United States when he was just eight years old.
MMA champion Auchi, 34, born in Edo, said the sport could be used as a tool to empower young people and put Nigeria on the world map.
Earlier, Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare praised Usman for his accomplishments abroad and for being a good Nigerian ambassador.
He said Nigeria will continue to support him in his professional career while forging a partnership to mentor young Nigerians as well.
“Your story is well told, you represent the Nigerian spirit; that of being relentless and reaching the top of the exploits you have accomplished is no small task.
“For me, I can’t say it enough; countries need to build on their strength, not dwell and focus on their weaknesses and you have signed the Nigeria voucher, ”Dare said.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that Usman was born on May 11, 1987. He is a professional Nigerian-American mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduate folk-style wrestler.
He currently competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the reigning UFC welterweight champion.
Kamaru, who has won 19 wins out of 20 fights, has established himself as a legend in the MMA welterweight class.
