Kamaru Usman’s Brother Banned From UFC For 30 Months

A UFC fighter who was pulled out of his last bout has been slapped with a 30-month ban from the Octagon. To make matters even worse, his is the brother of a company legend.

Nigerian heavyweight grappler Mohammed Usman is 4-2 in the world’s leading MMA promotion. Usman made his official UFC in August 2022, stopping Zac Pauga in the second round to win the heavyweight tournament on season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. With that victory, the fighter earned himself a full contract in the promotion.

Usman followed up his TUF success with a pair of victories over Junior Tafa and Jake Collier, However, he then went on a two-fight losing streak, dropping consecutive decision defeats to Mick Parkin and Thomas Petersen.

Mohammed finally got himself back in the win column in June 2025, getting the judges’ verdict over Hamdy Abdelwahab at UFC Baku. Just as things were looking up for the 36-year-old, though, he suffered a major setback.

Just days before he was set to Valter Walker at UFC Fight Night in Rio de Janeiro in October, Usman was pulled from the fight by the UFC in mysterious circumstances. It later emerged that he had failed a doping test over high testosterone levels.

Banned UFC Fighter Mohammed Usman Has A Famous Brother

The name ‘Usman’ will be a familiar one to all UFC fans based off the exploits of legendary former welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman. Mohammed is the younger brother of ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’.

Mohammed initially disputed the findings of the tests. According to a statement from the UFC, he only admitted his guilt after being confronted with independently collected evidence.

In a statement announcing the extended ban, the UFC pointed to the fighter’s “false explanation” as “aggravating circumstances”, resulting in an increased suspension.

UFC’s Statement on Mohammed Usman’s 30-Month Suspension

“While Usman ultimately took responsibility for the above details, he did not do so in a timely fashion and not until CSAD confronted him with evidence they had independently collected during a detailed investigation of his use of these multiple prohibited substances as well as his attempt to deceive CSAD with a false explanation.

“Under the UFC ADP, if a UFC athlete uses multiple substances like Usman did and engages in deceptive or obstructive conduct to avoid the adjudication of an Anti-Doping Policy Violation like he did, then aggravating circumstances are determined to exist.”

The terms of the ban mean that Mohammed will be 39 years old by the time it expires in April 2028. His remains under UFC contract at time of writing.