The next installment in the Black Panther franchise has some UFC involvement as the former pound-for-pound king of the UFC  – Kamaru Usman – stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the first time. It will also be his big-screen debut. A proud Nigeria-born mixed martial artist reflected on the great opportunity.

Black Panther was one of the most successful superhero movies in North America. And the former welterweight champion and the holder of the second longest win-streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (15) will be a part of it. A fellow UFC champion, Daniel Cormier revealed it accidentally during the weigh-in show a few months back.

Kamaru Usman talks about his role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2022

The Ultimate Fighter winner has been nothing but impressive in his UFC career. His only UFC loss came in his last fight against Leon Edwards before a historic run that ended with 15 UFC wins.

With multiple championship defenses under his belt and headlining the biggest shows for the promotions (MSG & first ever Fight Island event, etc.), the champion received a wonderful opportunity that he asked for after the initial Black Panther movie.

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Talking about his role, the former UFC champion said, “My name is Kamaru Usman, aka The Nigerian Nightmare. And I’m Naval Officer number 1.”

Earlier, he talked about the role and reflected, “It’s something that I have spoken to existence. After the first one, I’m like I need to be in this. I need… aye, this gotta happen. I don’t care who I gotta beat up. We gotta make this happen. And so, years later, I get the call. And I was ecstatic.”

Wakanda Forever star revealed how it feels working with Kamaru Usman

A prominent member of the franchise (playing the role of M’Baku), Winston Duke described his time with the UFC star.

“He [Kamaru Usman] just came in and played and had fun,” said a friend and counselor to T’Challa in the movie Black Panther.

Winston Duke, who came to one of Usman’s fights in New York, added, “Kamaru is a joy; he’s a person that’s a friend now. And one of the best people I know…he’s a great guy and really great guy to have fun with on set. Nigerian Nightmare ladies and gentlemen.”

Why is Kamaru Usman Nicknamed ‘Marty’?

Even Kamaru Usman had nothing but praise for the team.

“I was able to see such professional work. Some of the biggest professionals to do their scenes over and over with the same intensity, 13 hours a day. Same intensity each and every time,” ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ said.

Kamaru Usman compares the fight business to movies

Earlier, Usman talked about the two businesses. The athlete has lived most of his time enjoying a championship run that comes with hungry challengers pushing him every day. Despite all the pressure he had during his title reign, the welterweight fighter appreciated the work done to get a movie of such magnitude.

Usman said, “As a fighter, you don’t realize how hard it is, very hard. These actors and a newfound respect for these actors and actresses. This is a tough-tough business.”

And since the long-time former champion had a legendary career in one of the most brutal sports, the stars of Wakanda Forever were also surprised by how he is in real life.

Kamaru Usman’s real motivation behind the movie

Even though the Nigerian fighter is proud to be a part of the movie, his actual intentions are not to show the world that he’s in the movie, but to a special individual.

“The biggest thing. I’m excited for my daughter to see it because me and her watched Black Panther probably about 15 times just us. So, I’m excited to watch that and know that’s me up there,” said the proud father.

The movie is already in the theatres and getting an exceptional response, as the first one did.

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