A Nigerian immigrant to the United States at the age of 7, Usman moved to Nebraska where he took up wrestling. He attended and wrestled for the University of Nebraska at Kearney and then spent two years training at the U.S. Olympic Center in Colorado before transitioning to MMA. Usman showed remarkable strength in his wrestling style, capping his wrestling career off by winning the gold medal at the 2010 NCAA Division II wrestling championships. He previously won the silver medal at the Division II Championships in 2009 and the bronze in 2008. Retiring from wrestling after trying to make the USA Olympic squad post college, he finished his career with a combined match record of 97-4.

Usman was a competitor on season 21 of The Ultimate Fighter, American Top Team vs. Blackzilians.  Usman represented his home gym, Blackzilians and won the first bout of the season, defeating ATT's Michael Graves by majority decision.  In Usman's second bout on the show, he took on former WSOF champion Steve Carl.  Usman handed Carl his second consecutive defeat of the competition and became the first and only Blackzilian fighter to win two bouts on the show.  This win allowed Usman to advance to the finals and compete against ATT's Hayder Hassan in The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.

The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians
Episode 1 Usman def. Mike Graves by Majority Decision

Episode 9 Usman def. Steve Carl by Unanimous Decision