You do need to be fighting regularly to stay sharp.' He was then offered to fight at the UFC 138 event, but also refused that one, citing that he hadn't competed since summer of 2010, and that 'If he fought on the October card that would have been after a fifteen-month layoff, which is not ideal under any circumstances. He did state that reaching the UFC was his 'ultimate goal' in the future.
He successfully defended his title 5 times, more than any other champion in the company, past or present.ĭuring this time period, Manuwa famously turned down a contract offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, feeling it wasn't the right time in his career to accept it. Manuwa began fighting for UCMMA name in only his third professional fight, becoming the promotion's champion in his third fight under them. He currently trains at Keddles Gym with Alan Keddle and Dino Miringou and at Nova Força BJJ with Ricardo da Silva. Manuwa began training in mixed martial arts in 2007, following a weight lifting injury where he ruptured a chest muscle. After being convicted of conspiracy to burgle, he was sent to prison in 2002 and got out in 2003. He got in trouble as a teen and did not finish school. Manuwa was born in California and lived there until three when his father moved the family back to Nigeria.