Oba Femi, NXT Champion and one of WWE’s rising stars, recently opened up about the biggest hurdle he faced during his transition from college athletics to professional wrestling: learning to slow down. According to multiple interviews and reports including WWE.com and Fightful, Femi noted that adapting from the explosiveness required in track and field to the stamina and pacing of pro wrestling was a fundamental shift in his athletic career.

Isaac Odugbesan, known in WWE as Oba Femi, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and made a name for himself as a dominant track and field athlete during his time at the University of Alabama. Specializing in shot put, Femi won multiple Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships before signing with WWE in 2021 through their Next In Line (NIL) program, designed to transform collegiate athletes into professional wrestlers[1][2][3].

“Coming from shot putting, it was all about one explosive movement and power,” Femi told Count On News 2 in a recent interview. “In wrestling, you need to have cardiovascular endurance and the ability to perform longer, sustained physical activity. That was the hardest part for me—the need to slow down and work in a different kind of rhythm”[3].

This adjustment was evident throughout Femi’s initial year in WWE’s Performance Center (PC), where his raw athleticism was clear but pacing his in-ring performance required refinement. Wrestling insiders revealed to Fightful that Femi’s natural intensity initially clashed with the pacing coaches emphasized, but his willingness to learn and adapt quickly earned him respect behind the scenes.

Since making his televised debut in November 2022 on NXT Level Up, losing his first match but showing promise, Femi’s development accelerated rapidly on WWE’s NXT brand[1]. He made an impactful debut at the Spring Breakin’ event in April 2023, earning a victory over Oro Mensah, signaling his arrival as a contender in the division.

His breakout moment came in January 2024, when Femi won the prestigious NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament at NXT: New Year’s Evil, defeating Riley Osborne in the finals. He cashed in the resulting contract immediately, defeating Dragon Lee to become the youngest and first NIL graduate to win the NXT North American Championship in WWE history[1][2].

Oba Femi’s reign as North American Champion was historic. He held the title for a record-breaking 273 days, surpassing the previous record-holder Wes Lee, and successfully defended it against top contenders such as Dijak, Josh Briggs, and Raw’s Ivar. His championship defenses showcased a balance between raw power and improved stamina, highlighting his growth from his early track and field days[1][2][3].

Behind the scenes, sources close to WWE note that Femi’s ability to embrace the slower, more methodical aspects of wrestling contrasted with the explosive bursts he was accustomed to in athletics but ultimately enhanced his in-ring storytelling and crowd engagement. A WWE insider shared with Wrestling Inc., “Oba learned that wrestling isn’t just about physical strength—it’s about pacing yourself, setting a tempo that builds excitement, and knowing when to go all out. That was a mindset shift for him”[1].

In addition to the NXT North American Championship, Femi captured the 2024 NXT Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge and eventually went on to win the NXT Championship, cementing his status as one of the top stars in WWE’s developmental brand[2][4].

Standing at an imposing 6’6” and weighing 310 pounds, Oba Femi combines athleticism, charisma, and a unique background bridging collegiate athletics and professional wrestling, making him a standout figure in WWE’s future plans[2][3]. His journey exemplifies how technical skills from other sports can translate with the right adaptation and mindset in wrestling.

As of mid-2025, Femi continues to train and evolve at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, while remaining a featured competitor on NXT television. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how his athletic foundation and hard-earned wrestling instincts propel him to the main roster and beyond.

Oba Femi’s story highlights the challenges elite athletes face when transitioning to sports entertainment and how embracing new disciplines—like slowing down to build endurance—can define career success in WWE.

Sources: WWE.com, Fightful, Count On News 2, Wrestling Inc., The Sportster, The SmackDown Hotel.