Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Kamaru Usman reacts during his fight with Leon Edwards (not pictured) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

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How Did Kamaru Usman Get His ‘Marty’ Nickname? Justin Gaethje’s Question Reveals The Truth!

Kamaru Usman reveals in detail how he got his nickname 'Marty' and how it stuck with him in his professional career!

Mar 18, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Kamaru Usman reacts during his fight with Leon Edwards (not pictured) during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Mixed martial arts is full of colorful nicknames that stick with fighters throughout their careers. Some come from their fighting style, others from their personality, and a few from unexpected places. Kamaru Usman, the former UFC welterweight champion known as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare,’ carries another name that has followed him since his wrestling days. That name is “Marty,” and it has become both a term of endearment and a weapon used by his rivals.

The nickname has been a source of controversy and confusion for years. Fighters like Ben Askren and Colby Covington have used it to get under Usman’s skin in interviews and on social media. What started as an innocent high school moment has evolved into one of the most talked-about nicknames in MMA. The story behind it reveals how a simple mispronunciation can shape a fighter’s entire journey through combat sports.

Justin Gaethje’s Question Unlocks the Mystery Of “Marty”

The origins of Usman’s “Marty” nickname recently came to light when Justin Gaethje asked him the story behind Marty. Usman gave a detailed explanation as he finally told the complete story that had been puzzling MMA fans for years.

“I went into my Sophomore year and im in the study hall, roll calling the sheet. So my coach, who is a big, white military guy, he’s like ‘Kamard, Kamarudy, I’m not gonna say that sh*t… I’m just gonna call you Marty”

Justin Gaethje asks Kamaru Usman to tell him the story behind his name, "Marty." 🤔🤣

"I want to settle something — I’ve been friends with you for so long, and I’ve never known you as Marty. What’s the whole story behind that?"

via: @USMAN84kg / #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/wSaGYR3KeV
— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) June 4, 2025

The coach’s solution was simple but lasting. He told young Kamarudeen (his full name) that he would just call him “Marty” instead of attempting his real name. At the time, Usman was a small 5-foot-3, 100-pound wrestler who was intimidated by his coach. He didn’t feel comfortable arguing with the authority figure, so he simply accepted the new name without protest. This decision would follow him for the rest of his athletic career.

What started as one coach’s convenience quickly spread throughout the wrestling community. Usman’s teammates began using the nickname, and soon other schools knew him as “Marty” too. College recruiters heard about this talented wrestler named Marty from Nebraska. When he arrived at the University of Nebraska, his college coaches also adopted the name.

Ben Askren became the most famous fighter to use “Marty” as a psychological weapon against Usman. Askren, himself a decorated wrestler, knew exactly what he was doing when he called Usman “Marty from Nebraska.” Other fighters picked up on this tactic and began using it during heated exchanges and press conferences. Usman has handled these taunts with varying degrees of patience, sometimes embracing the name and other times showing clear irritation when opponents use it mockingly.

(Image Credit: Per Haljestam – Imagn Images)

Justin Gaethje

Kamaru Usman

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!