Reigning NXT Champion Oba Femi recently sat down with The Hall of Fame podcast to discuss his meteoric rise, his connection to fans, and why he believes being a lifelong fan is the best training ground for a wrestling career.
When asked by Brad Gilmore about the frequent comparisons to Brock Lesnar, Femi was quick to clarify that while he respects the parallels, he’s carving his own lane.
“I’ve definitely taken some things, some inspiration from him, in the way I work. But I don’t think there’s a one-to-one correlation between Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi,” he said. “The athleticism is there, and the strength is there. But I think Oba Femi is a beast of its own… Oba Femi is a very unique experience.”
Femi added that those drawing the comparisons are likely not fully acquainted with his persona.
“When you know the character of the ruler, the destroyer, the bringer of war, you will understand that that is a unique experience that the WWE Universe has never seen before.”
Born Isaac Odugbesan in Nigeria, Femi credits his childhood fandom for giving him the instincts he now thrives on in WWE.
“A lot of people ask, what’s the best sport to transition into wrestling? Some people think it’s football… amateur wrestling. But to me, personally, there’s no other sport than being a fan,” he explained. “When you’ve watched it as a child, you just, you know the timing… when you become a professional wrestler, you can just do it.”
Femi also reflected on a recent visit back to his hometown in Nigeria.
“I come into the airport and a lot of people see me. A lot of people know who I am, and say, ‘Oh my God, that’s Oba Femi,’” he shared. “And then I get to my own neighborhood where my family is… everybody’s excited to see, you know, the young man that left them seven, eight years ago.”
Oba Femi is set to defend his NXT Championship in a Triple Threat Match against Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura this Tuesday during the NXT television tapings in Houston, Texas. With momentum on his side and a growing international fanbase, Oba Femi continues to prove that he’s more than just the next big thing — he’s the now.
