Jimi Manuwa got in trouble as a teen and did not finish school.
34 Facts About Jimi Manuwa
2.
Jimi Manuwa began training in mixed martial arts in 2007, following a weight lifting injury where he ruptured a chest muscle.
3.
Jimi Manuwa began fighting for UCMMA name in only his third professional fight, becoming the promotion's champion in his third fight under them.
4.
Jimi Manuwa successfully defended his title 5 times, more than any other champion in the company, past or present.
5.
Jimi Manuwa did state that reaching the UFC was his "ultimate goal" in the future.
6.
Jimi Manuwa successfully defended his title for the fifth time at UCMMA 24: Hands of War, against Nick Chapman.
7.
Jimi Manuwa faced Frenchman Antony Rea and won the fight via TKO.
8.
Jimi Manuwa made his UFC debut against TUF 8 contestant Kyle Kingsbury at UFC on Fuel TV 5, winning after 2 rounds by TKO due to doctor stoppage.
9.
Jimi Manuwa was declared the winner after Diabate was unable to continue after tearing a calf muscle near the end of the first round.
10.
Jimi Manuwa returned to face Ryan Jimmo on 26 October 2013 at UFC Fight Night 30.
11.
Jimi Manuwa faced Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Fight Night 37 on 8 March 2014.
12.
Jimi Manuwa lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
13.
Jimi Manuwa was expected to face Mauricio Rua at UFC Fight Night 56 on 8 November 2014 in Brazil.
14.
Jimi Manuwa won the fight via unanimous decision, going the distance for the first and only time in his MMA career.
15.
Jimi Manuwa faced Anthony Johnson on 5 September 2015 at UFC 191.
16.
Jimi Manuwa lost the fight via knockout early in the second round.
17.
Jimi Manuwa was briefly linked to a matchup with Nikita Krylov on 27 February 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84.
18.
Jimi Manuwa faced Ovince Saint Preux on 8 October 2016 at UFC 204.
19.
Jimi Manuwa won the fight via knockout in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.
20.
Jimi Manuwa was briefly linked to a bout with Glover Teixeira at UFC 208.
21.
However, the pairing was scrapped and Jimi Manuwa eventually faced Corey Anderson on 18 March 2017 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 107.
22.
Jimi Manuwa won the fight via knockout in the first round, after briefly dropping Anderson with a jab and then finishing him with a single left hook.
23.
Jimi Manuwa was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.
24.
Jimi Manuwa faced Volkan Oezdemir on 29 July 2017 at UFC 214.
25.
Jimi Manuwa lost the fight by knockout in the first round.
26.
Jimi Manuwa was expected to face Glover Teixeira on 22 September 2018 at UFC Fight Night 137.
27.
In turn, Jimi Manuwa was removed from the fight during the week leading up to the event due to a torn hamstring and replaced by Eryk Anders.
28.
Jimi Manuwa faced Thiago Santos on 8 December 2018 at UFC 231.
29.
Jimi Manuwa lost the fight via knockout in round two.
30.
Jimi Manuwa faced Aleksandar Rakic on 1 June 2019 at UFC Fight Night 153.
31.
Jimi Manuwa lost the fight via knockout due to a head kick in the first round.
32.
Jimi Manuwa's parents are Nigerian however he was born in California and spent his early years in Nigeria before settling in London at the age of 10.
33.
In 2014, Jimi Manuwa showed off his tattoos for PETA's anti-fur "Ink Not Mink" ad campaign.
34.
Jimi Manuwa was imprisoned for his role in a burglary ring in 2002.