Nigerian professional wrestler Isaac Odugbesan, widely known as Oba Femi, delivered a shocking performance by defeating 10-time WWE Champion Brock Lesnar in under five minutes during his WrestleMania debut on Sunday.
The high-profile clash at WrestleMania 42 ended dramatically, with the 27-year-old overpowering the veteran in what has quickly become one of the most talked-about moments of the event.
In a symbolic gesture that has sparked widespread speculation, Lesnar left his wrestling gear in the ring after the match, a move traditionally interpreted in professional wrestling as a sign of retirement.
Femi, also known as “The Ruler,” entered the match with momentum, having spent just three months on WWE’s main roster despite already building an impressive résumé as a former NXT champion.
The bout began with both competitors testing each other’s strength, with Lesnar initially taking control through a series of aggressive moves. However, Femi absorbed the pressure and turned the tide with a dominant comeback.
Lesnar executed his trademark F5, but Femi quickly recovered, delivering a powerful chokeslam before sealing the victory with his “Fall From Grace” sit-out powerbomb for the decisive pinfall.
The upset victory immediately sent shockwaves across social media, with fans reacting to the unexpected outcome and praising Femi’s rapid rise in the wrestling world.
Before transitioning to professional wrestling, Odugbesan, who was born in Lagos, had a background in track and field as a shot put athlete. Since signing with WWE in 2021 through its NIL programme, he has recorded several achievements, including winning the 2023 NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament and the 2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.
During the WrestleMania Sunday post-show, Femi further stirred excitement by calling out Roman Reigns, popularly known as the “Original Tribal Chief,” hinting at a potential title challenge before the end of the year.
What you should know
Oba Femi’s victory over Brock Lesnar marks a major milestone for Nigerian representation in global wrestling.
Defeating a legendary figure like Lesnar in such a short time signals a strong push for Femi within WWE’s main roster. His rapid rise from NXT to headlining WrestleMania highlights both his athletic background and in-ring dominance.
Lesnar’s post-match gesture has fueled retirement speculation, adding more significance to the result.
With a possible feud against Roman Reigns teased, Femi’s career trajectory appears set for even bigger opportunities on the global stage.
