Here are some Nigerian men you should know:
When we talk about Nigerians making a name for themselves through fighting, there’s more to the list than you might expect. From boxing and MMA to WWE and even a little celebrity boxing, these Nigerian men have stepped into the ring, cage or wrestling arena and made their mark.
1. Israel Adesanya
Age: 37 | Born: Lagos, Nigeria
Known as “The Last Stylebender,” Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest Nigerian-born names in MMA. He became UFC Middleweight Champion and successfully defended the title five times during his reign.
2. Oba Femi
Age: 28 | Born: Lagos
Born Isaac Odugbesan, Oba Femi is a Nigerian professional wrestler signed to WWE. Before wrestling, he was a talented shot-put athlete. He has won the NXT Championship twice and the NXT North American Championship once.
3. Lawrence Okolie
Age: 33 | Nigerian heritage
Lawrence Okolie is a British-Nigerian boxer who has won world titles in two weight classes. He held the WBO Cruiserweight Championship and later became WBC Bridgerweight Champion.
4. Omos
Age: 31 | Nigerian heritage
Known as the “Nigerian Giant,” Omos is a 7-foot-3 WWE superstar. He became a Raw Tag Team Champion alongside AJ Styles after defeating The New Day at WrestleMania 37.
5. Odera Okwuosa
Odera Okwuosa is a Nigerian/UK-based super-heavyweight boxer. He won the BUCS Super Heavyweight Championship and the East Midlands Super Heavyweight title before going on to claim the London Intermediate Super Heavyweight title.
6. Apollo Crews
Age: 39 | Nigerian heritage
Born Sesugh Isaac Uhaa, Apollo Crews is an American professional wrestler of Nigerian heritage. His WWE career includes the Intercontinental Championship and the United States Championship.
7. Efe Ajagba
Age: 32 | Born: Ughelli, Delta State
Efe Ajagba is one of Nigeria’s biggest heavyweight boxing names. He represented Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics, won Commonwealth Games bronze and African Games gold before becoming a major professional heavyweight contender.
8. Oluwafemi Oyeleye
Age: 31 | Born: Lagos
Oluwafemi “Femi” Oyeleye is a Nigerian professional boxer who competes in the light-middleweight division. Before turning professional, he won gold in the welterweight event at the 2015 African Games.
9. Efetobor Apochi
Age: 38 | Born: Orogun, Delta State
Efetobor Apochi is a Nigerian boxer and former captain of the Nigerian boxing team. He represented Nigeria internationally and won silver at the 2011 All-Africa Games.
10. Olanrewaju Durodola
Age: 45 | Born: Ilesha, Osun State
Known as “God’s Power,” Olanrewaju Durodola is a veteran Nigerian boxer and former Olympian. He has held several major cruiserweight titles, including the WBC Silver Cruiserweight title.
11. Adam Olaore
Age: 24 | Born: Lagos, Nigeria
Adam Olaore is a Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer who moved to England as a child. He became African heavyweight champion and represented Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
12. Mike Edwards
Former BBNaija housemate
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Mike Edwards is more than just a reality-TV personality. The Nigerian-British athlete has a background in sports and fitness, bringing a different kind of “fighter” to the list.
13. Anthony Joshua
Age: 37 | Nigerian heritage | Family roots: Sagamu, Ogun State
Anthony Joshua is one of the most successful boxers of Nigerian heritage. The British-Nigerian heavyweight is a two-time unified world heavyweight champion and has always proudly celebrated his Nigerian roots.
14. Akpi & Portable
When online gbas-gbos entered the boxing ring!
These two Nigerian entertainers took their clash from social media to an actual celebrity boxing match, giving Nigerians another unforgettable moment outside the professional boxing world.
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