Oba Femi: Meet the Latest WWE Champion with Nigerian roots after claiming NXT title

Oba Femi, a former University of Alabama athlete, is the latest WWE champion.

Femi was one of the wrestlers who took part in the 2023 NXT Men's Breakout Tournament, which wrapped in the first week of the New Year.

The finals of the developmental brand tourney saw the 22-year-old crowned the winner, receiving a championship opportunity at any time.

According to Wrestling Inc., Riley Osbourne, a Chase U recruit, had a tough time countering Femi when they faced off in the final on January 2.

Despite Osbourne's efforts to outsmart the Nigerian, that advantage was eventually nullified, with the latter slamming his opponent to the canvas.

Femi eventually emerged as the victor, making him the first winner since 2021, when Carmelo Hayes won the prize.

He followed up that win with another one on Monday evening, cashing in to win the NXT North American championship from Dragon Lee.

Who is Oba Femi?

Femi's latest milestones have put him in the spotlight as one of the fastest-rising wrestlers.

Born Isaac Odugbesan, he started as a track and field athlete before he made his wrestling debut. The 22-year-old initially played as a shot putter during his high school days.

He later tried other sporting activities when he earned himself a student-athlete scholarship at Middle Tennessee State University, where he won the Conference USA title.

Femi transferred to the University of Alabama in the summer of 2019, where he won multiple titles in shot put, including the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships, per WWE.

Oba Femi makes wrestling debut

The youngster transitioned into wrestling in 2021 and signed with WWE as part of its new Next in Line program, which seeks to develop college athletes into potential wrestlers.

Now under the ring name Oba Femi, Isaac made his in-ring bow at NXT's sub-show - Level Up - on November 22, losing his first match to Dante Chen.

He made his formal NXT debut in April 2023 at Spring Breakin, where he beat Oro Mensah.