Oba Femi Bio
Isaac Odugbesan, known professionally by the ring name Oba Femi, is a Nigerian professional wrestler and former shot putter who performs on WWE’s NXT brand. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and competing at around 140 kilograms, Femi combines an athletic shot put background with the intensity of a top-tier heavyweight competitor. He is recognized as a former NXT Champion and as the longest-reigning NXT North American Champion in the title’s history.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Odugbesan built a foundation in track and field before transitioning into professional wrestling through WWE’s Next In Line (NIL) program. His rapid rise through NXT, punctuated by tournament wins, record-breaking title reigns, and main-event caliber matches, has established him as one of the most decorated young stars in WWE’s developmental brand.
Early Life and Background
Isaac Odugbesan was born on April 22, 1998, in Lagos, Nigeria, to parents Niyi and Maria Odugbesan. He grew up in a household that valued both academics and athletics, and he has been a fan of professional wrestling since the age of six. As a child, he gravitated toward iconic performers such as Triple H and The Undertaker, and those early influences helped shape his future path in the industry.
He attended the University of Lagos, where he studied studio art and competed in track and field. During his freshman season in 2016, Odugbesan won ten shot put medals in the Nigerian University Games Association, showcasing the power and explosiveness that would later define his in-ring presence.
In the fall of 2017, Odugbesan relocated to the United States to attend Middle Tennessee State University on a track and field scholarship. He was named Conference USA Male Freshman of the Year and earned outdoor first-team All-American honors, confirming his elite status in collegiate athletics.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Odugbesan transferred to the University of Alabama in 2019, where he continued to excel in shot put. He captured the shot put title at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2021 and 2022, and he also won the outdoor SEC title the year prior. He officially graduated in May 2022 with a degree in visual arts, balancing elite-level athletics with his academic pursuits.
On December 8, 2021, Odugbesan signed with WWE as part of the company’s new Next In Line program, which was designed to develop college athletes into potential WWE performers. Following his graduation, he began training at the WWE Performance Center, transitioning from competitive shot put to the squared circle.
He made his in-ring debut at an NXT live event on November 11, 2022, and his on-screen debut under the Oba Femi name came on the November 18 episode of NXT Level Up. The decision to repurpose his athletic background into professional wrestling marked the beginning of a meteoric rise through WWE’s developmental ranks.
Oba Femi Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Oba Femi’s first year in WWE was dedicated to training and early match experience. After his debut matches on NXT Level Up and live events, Femi continued to sharpen his craft in front of smaller crowds while preparing for a larger platform.
His formal NXT debut came at Spring Breakin’ on April 25, 2023, where he defeated Oro Mensah to announce himself to the NXT audience. The victory signaled that WWE viewed Femi as a future centerpiece of the brand.
NXT Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Femi’s breakthrough moment arrived at NXT: New Year’s Evil on January 2, 2024, when he won the 2023 Men’s NXT Breakout Tournament by defeating Riley Osborne in the finals. The victory earned him a contract for a championship opportunity of his choosing and established him as a fast-rising star.
The following week on NXT, Femi cashed in his tournament contract and defeated Dragon Lee to win the NXT North American Championship, becoming the first NIL program graduate to win a championship in WWE. He successfully defended the title against Lee at NXT Vengeance Day, against Dijak and Josh Briggs in a triple threat match at NXT Stand & Deliver, and against Wes Lee and Joe Coffey in subsequent high-profile bouts.
On October 5, 2024, Femi surpassed Wes Lee’s 269-day title reign to become the longest-reigning NXT North American Champion. His dominant run came to an end at Week 2 of NXT’s CW premiere on October 8, 2024, when he lost the title to Tony D’Angelo, ending his reign at a record 273 days. The loss also snapped a 30-match winning streak in 2024, marking his first defeat of the year.
NXT Champion Era (2024–2025)
After a short hiatus, Femi returned at NXT Deadline on December 9, 2024, where he entered the Iron Survivor Challenge match in place of an injured Eddy Thorpe and won. The victory earned him an NXT Championship opportunity against Trick Williams at NXT: New Year’s Evil on January 7, 2025.
At that event, Femi defeated Williams in a triple threat match also involving Thorpe to capture the NXT Championship, becoming the first NIL program graduate to win a top championship in WWE. He went on to defend the title against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller at NXT Vengeance Day, against TNA X Division Champion Moose at NXT Roadblock, and against Williams and Je’Von Evans at NXT Stand & Deliver.
He continued successful defenses against Myles Borne at NXT Battleground, Yoshiki Inamura at NXT The Great American Bash, and Evans at NXT Heatwave. His reign ended at NXT No Mercy on September 27, 2025, when he lost the NXT Championship to Ricky Saints, concluding a 263-day title run. Femi returned on the November 11 episode of NXT to confront Saints, signaling the next chapter of his career.
Style and Strengths
Femi’s wrestling style is built on the raw power developed through years of elite-level shot put competition. His imposing size, combined with surprising agility for a heavyweight, allows him to dominate opponents in the ring. He pairs his physical tools with the confidence of a champion and an ability to perform in high-pressure main-event environments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Femi holds the record for the longest single reign as NXT North American Champion at 273 days. He is the first graduate of WWE’s Next In Line program to win a championship in the company, and he is also the first NIL graduate to win a top championship in WWE when he captured the NXT title. His 30-match winning streak during his North American Championship reign remains a defining milestone of his early NXT career.
Oba Femi Career Wins
Throughout his NXT career, Oba Femi has compiled a decorated résumé of championship victories and tournament successes. His wins span major annual tournaments and both major singles titles on the NXT brand, underscoring his status as one of the most accomplished performers in recent NXT history.
NXT Highlights
Femi won the 2023 Men’s NXT Breakout Tournament in January 2024 and the 2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline in December 2024. He is a former NXT North American Champion and a former NXT Champion, with his North American title reign standing as the longest in the championship’s history.
Other Wins and Performances
Femi recorded a 30-match winning streak in 2024 during his NXT North American Championship reign, a streak that ended only when he dropped the title. He also made appearances for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2025, including a notable confrontation with The System on Impact! and a tag team match alongside The Hardys.
Oba Femi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Isaac Odugbesan was born to parents Niyi and Maria Odugbesan. His Nigerian upbringing and family support played a central role in his development as both an athlete and a student, providing the foundation that enabled his move to the United States for collegiate athletics and eventually to WWE.
Personal Life
Outside of professional wrestling, Odugbesan holds a degree in visual arts, reflecting his creative interests beyond athletics. He continues to perform on the NXT brand while balancing his wrestling career with his broader personal and creative pursuits.
2025 Season Performance
Oba Femi entered 2025 as the reigning NXT Champion following his victory at NXT: New Year’s Evil. He immediately delivered successful title defenses, including a triple threat match against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller at NXT Vengeance Day in February.
He continued his dominant run with defenses against Moose at NXT Roadblock in March, against Williams and Evans in a triple threat at NXT Stand & Deliver in April, and against Myles Borne at NXT Battleground in May. Additional defenses against Yoshiki Inamura at NXT The Great American Bash in July and against Je’Von Evans at NXT Heatwave in August cemented his status as the face of NXT.
His 263-day NXT Championship reign came to an end at NXT No Mercy on September 27, 2025, when he lost the title to Ricky Saints. Despite the loss, Femi remains a top figure on the NXT brand and returned on the November 11 episode of NXT to confront his successor, setting the stage for the next phase of his career.
