UFC star Kamaru Usman to appear in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as champion moves into Hollywood acting roles
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has landed himself a role in the upcoming Black Panther sequel.
The Nigerian Nightmare created history in March 2019 by becoming the MMA promotion’s first African-born champion.
And three years after his dominant victory over then-champion Tyron Woodley, Usman has will feature in the second instalment of the hit Black Panther franchise.
Rumours of Usman starring in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever started circulating last week.
And the pound-for-pound king confirmed his involvement in the film on Sunday night by tweeting a poster for the movie – which will be released in cinemas on November 11.
UFC fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “I don’t like Usman but it’s cool exposure for the sport.”
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Another said: “Nigerian king is coming to the BIG screen!”
And another said: “Usman is making a cameo in the movie. What if he’s the new black panther?!!”
One remarked: “Imagine Usman as a multiverse, Black Panther.”
Another chimed in: “Wakanda forever.”
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It’s not known what Usman’s role in the eagerly-anticipated sequel will be – although it’s most likely to be a cameo.
Usman, 35, is currently gearing up to make the sixth defence of his welterweight title later this month.
Brit Leon Edwards will bid to dethrone the pound-for-pound king at UFC 278 in a rematch seven years in the making.
Birmingham bruiser Edwards hasn’t lost defeat since that clash, winning nine of his last ten octagon outings.
His improvements have impressed Usman, who recently said: “Leon is much sharper with his striking.
“He has excellent striking. I mean, let’s just be honest.
“We saw it in the fight with Nate Diaz. He tortured him for four-and-a-half rounds.
“And then Nate Diaz did what Nate Diaz does best, come in there and land that shot and steal all the glory.
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“You forgot Leon Edwards won that fight, right? So I think Leon is much improved.
“His grappling is much improved, his wrestling is much improved, but I’m also much improved.”