Kamaru Usman points to 'new Ngannou' as future big name in UFC: 'Impressive'

Kamaru Usman is a former UFC welterweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Kamaru Usman believes that the next big name in MMA will come from the African continent. The former welterweight champion (up to 77kg), who dominated the division for years, already admits that his retirement is near, highlighted a new talent who can continue the legacy left by African champions in the UFC.

During a Q&A session with fans, Usman pointed out the Cameroonian Ateba Gautier as a promising name for the future. The Nigerian, who made history in the organization, compared the beginning of the young man's career to that of Francis Ngannou, former heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg).

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"I Think Ateba Gautier is phenomenal right now. He's had such an impressive start Francis Ngannou”, praised Usman.

Kamaru Usman debuted in the UFC in 2015 and, after nine consecutive victories, won the welterweight belt in November 2018. His reign lasted until 2021, when he was dethroned by Leon edwards.

The African continent, in fact, has already produced great champions over the past few years. Besides Usman, names like Israel adesanya, who reigned between 2019 and 2023 in the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg), Francis Ngannou, 2021 heavyweight champion, and Dricus Du Plessis, who reached the top of the middleweight division between January 2024 and July 2025.

Now Ateba Gautier emerges as the new hope for this legacy. At 23, the Cameroonian has nine wins and only one loss in his professional career. Within the UFC, the prospect has three wins, all by first-round knockout.

Physical comparisons and trajectory bring Ateba Gautier closer to Francis Ngannou

Ateba Gautier e Francis Ngannou. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

As much as Ateba Gautier, Francis Ngannou also arrived in the UFC in explosive fashion. The former heavyweight champion racked up six consecutive victories in his first fights in the organization, all by stoppage. Besides his aggressive style, Ngannou resembles the Cameroonian prospect in physical build: while the heavyweight stands 1,93'2,11" and has a 2,06'XNUMX" wingspan, Gautier, who plays at middleweight, is the same height and has a XNUMX'XNUMX" wingspan.