Oba Femi Opens Up On Olympic Ambition And WWE Ascent Following Surprise Victory Over Brock Lesnar

According to Ireporter Online, Nigerian professional wrestler Isaac Odugbesan, popularly known as Oba Femi, has reflected on his remarkable transition from being an Olympic hopeful in athletics to becoming a rising global star in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), following a standout victory over Brock Lesnar.

Oba Femi, 28, drew global attention after delivering a shock performance at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, where he defeated veteran superstar Brock Lesnar in under five minutes. Despite absorbing Lesnar’s signature F5, the Nigerian powerhouse recovered to secure victory with a chokeslam before sealing the match with his devastating “Fall From Grace” finisher for a decisive pinfall.

The emphatic win has significantly elevated his profile in the wrestling world and reignited public interest in his background as an elite track and field athlete.

Before his WWE breakthrough, Odugbesan represented the University of Lagos in athletics, where he won multiple titles at the National University Games. His talent later earned him opportunities abroad in 2017, where he continued both his academic and sporting pursuits.

Recalling his early ambitions in an interview with CNN ahead of his clash with Lesnar, he said he once had strong Olympic dreams.

“I had aspirations to go to the World Championships, to go to the Olympics, to win medals, and I achieved some of that to a degree. I’ve been very successful in everything I do,” he said.

While in the United States, his athletics career continued to flourish, as he claimed back-to-back SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2021 and 2022, alongside an outdoor title in 2020.

However, his career trajectory shifted in 2021 when he joined WWE’s Next In Line (NIL) programme, an initiative designed to recruit collegiate athletes into professional wrestling. He revealed that his entry into WWE came unexpectedly after being contacted via social media.

“They messaged me on Instagram and asked if I was interested in doing a trial. I said yes, and the rest is history. I’m guessing they saw the package, they saw the size. They saw some of my throwing videos where I showcased a lot of intensity,” he said.

“When you are an athlete, it’s a lifestyle. You become well-rounded as a person, and that is why my rise has been meteoric.”

Following a successful tryout in August 2021, Odugbesan officially signed with WWE on December 8 under the Next In Line programme, marking the beginning of his rapid rise in professional wrestling.