Kamaru Usman is the first African-born champion in UFC history.
Nigeria's Usman relentlessly punished Tyron Woodley for five rounds to become the new welterweight division champion. Usman controlled the fight from start to finish and won via unanimous decision, capturing scores of 50-44, 50-44, and 50-45.
Usman now owns a 14-fight win streak and a career record of 14-1. He's yet to lose in the UFC.
Woodley tasted defeat for the first time since a unanimous decision loss to Rory MacDonald in 2014.
Usman had the long-reigning champion backpedaling from the outset of the fight and cracked Woodley with an elbow early in the second, drawing blood from the champion.
Hellbows in round 2@Usman84Kg #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/ZUK0w2N5cK
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
The numbers weren't kind to Woodley. Usman connected on 336 strikes versus 60 and dropped the elite wrestler with two takedowns.
Africa, you have your first champion!!
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
🇳🇬 @Usman84Kg becomes the first African-born UFC champion, and the first Nigerian champion in UFC history!! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/uldaPtcQTS
Woodley offered his congratulations to the new champion and expressed a desire for a rematch.
