Kamaru Usman Coach: What is UFC 294 star’s relationship with Trevor Wittman and Henri Hooft?

Kamaru Usman is one of the best welterweights in the UFC. Let's have a look at the coaches who helped shape his fighting style.

Kamaru Usman has worked with two great MMA coaches (via Imago)

Kamaru Usman is often considered one of the best welterweight champions in the UFC. He once had a 15-fight win streak and reigned dominantly in the division. Unfortunately, that win streak ended at UFC 278, when he lost the title to Leon Edwards. “The Nigerian Nightmare” lost via a 5th-round KO after having dominated for the majority of the bout. The fact that it was a head kick added insult to injury.

Kamaru Usman, however, exercised his rematch clause to avenge his loss against Edwards at UFC 286. This fight didn’t go according to plan for Usman, as Edwards defended his title for the first time. The loss, in a way, put an end to the ‘boogeyman’ status of the former welterweight champion. Now, The Nigerian Nightmare has another chance at UFC gold in the form of a welterweight bout against Khamzat Chimaev. A win against the ‘Borz’ at UFC 294 might well put him in contention for the middleweight title.

Kamaru Usman became one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC, thanks to the coaches. Therefore, let’s take a look at the men who shaped The Nigerian Nightmare.

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Kamaru Usman and Henry Hooft

Kamaru Usman started training with the Blackzilians with the aspiration to become a UFC champion one day. He did so in the early days of his career. Blackzilians is a fighting group based in Florida, where every fighter is treated equally irrespective of the experience or success in the octagon. Henry Hooft was Kamaru Usman’s coach, among others. Hooft himself is a former kickboxer and trainer.

Kamaru Usman with coach Henri Hooft (via MMA Mania)

Unfortunately, the Blackzilians dissolved in 2017, and Usman made his way to Sanford MMA. Henry Hooft also headed this club. Under his tutelage were other world-class UFC fighters such as Gilbert Burns, Michael Chandler, and Michael Johnson. After being with Hooft for a significant part of his career, Kamaru Usman moved away to seek more individual attention. He envisioned a trainer focusing on specific aspects of his game to make him a lethal fighter.

Kamaru Usman and Trevor Wittman

After working with Hooft, Kamaru Usman went to ONX Sports Gym in Florida. Kamaru Usman’s coach here was Trevor Wittman, a leading striking coach in his own right. In fact, Wittman had the distinction to work with fighters such as Rose Namajunas and Justin Gaethje. It is no wonder that these two fighters are known for their elite and world-class striking ability.

Kamaru Usman with coach Trevor Wittman (via The Mirror)

As such, Usman has always been thankful to Wittman for elevating his stand-up game and power. Reports suggest that both Trevor Wittman and Henry Hooft will corner Kamaru Usman in his upcoming middleweight fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. Usman had been gunning for Chimaev ever since his second loss to Edwards at UFC 286.

Unfortunately, the fight didn’t materialize because both fighters were reluctant to move up or down in weight at the time. Chimaev wanted to fight Usman at middleweight, but the latter refused. This was until Paulo Costa was ruled out of UFC 294 when Usman was presented with an opportunity to participate in the co-main event. He jumped on it within nine days’ notice, a dangerous prospect, especially against someone like Chimaev. The presence of Kamaru Usman’s coaches should benefit him in formulating a game plan on his quest to get that title shot.