Oba Femi, the reigning NXT Champion and one of WWE’s most promising rising stars, recently opened up about his transition from being a track and field standout to becoming a dominant force inside the WWE squared circle. Known for his impressive size, agility, and athleticism, Femi has carved a unique niche for himself — but his path wasn’t without challenges. According to the Nigerian-born powerhouse, the biggest hurdle he faced during WWE’s Performance Center (PC) training wasn’t adapting to the physicality or learning the moves, but slowing down his natural athletic pace to master the craft of professional wrestling.
From the Track to the Ring: A Shift in Mindset
Before donning the ring gear, Isaac Odugbesan—better known by his ring name Oba Femi—excelled in collegiate track and field, where explosiveness, speed, and rapid bursts of energy were prized above all. This background gave him a distinct physical advantage when he entered WWE’s Next In Line (NIL) program in 2022, designed to develop collegiate athletes into wrestling superstars.
However, professional wrestling demanded a very different tempo. “Coming from track and field, everything is about raw speed and passing the next marker faster than anyone else,” Femi explained in a recent interview. “In WWE, it’s about pacing, storytelling, and controlling moments. You can’t just rush through; you have to slow down, feel every second, and build drama with your movements.”
This adjustment to a slower pace—one that emphasizes timing, psychology, and audience engagement—was, according to insiders, the most complex aspect of his early days at the Performance Center. “Oba had to almost rewire how his body reacts, how he breathes, how he executes each move,” shared a WWE coach familiar with his training. “That’s a big mental shift for someone whose instinct is to sprint and explode.”
Mastering the Art of “Slowing Down” to Excel
The challenge of controlling his speed was compounded by the highly technical demands of wrestling, which require fluidity, precision, and immense ring awareness. WWE veterans often spend years perfecting their in-ring pacing, but Femi had to learn on the job to balance his athleticism with the showmanship and risk management wrestling calls for.
Femi said, “You’re constantly learning. Sometimes you want to just go all out, but the ring has its rules. It’s a fine line between looking dominant and respecting the craft so the crowd stays invested.”
His perseverance paid off quickly. After making his official NXT debut in April 2023 and earning a strong fan following, Femi won the 2023 Men’s NXT Breakout Tournament. Shortly after, he cashed in the guaranteed title shot and defeated Dragon Lee to become the youngest-ever NXT North American Champion, marking the first championship victory by a NIL program graduate. His reign was marked by a record-breaking 273 days as champion, highlighting his rapid rise and ability to adapt his game to top-level competition.
Transitioning Speed into Controlled Power
Femi’s story is one of transforming natural speed into controlled power and storytelling finesse. His training in sprint events, which emphasize explosive starts and maximal velocity, had to be transformed into a wrestling style that balances flashes of power with sustained in-ring endurance.
Former WWE developmental coach and current talent scout Tom Miller noted, “Oba is a rare blend of athlete and performer. The slow-down phase—teaching him how to use his energy smartly—was key. Wrestlers need to pace themselves; otherwise, they burn out or look sloppy. Oba has embraced that.”
This mentality has helped him deliver high-impact matches that captivate audiences without sacrificing safety or coherence. His bouts against opponents like Tony D’Angelo, Wes Lee, and Dragon Lee illustrate his capacity to mix his athletic roots with storytelling in the ring.
Behind the Scenes: A Star in the Making
Sources close to WWE have confirmed that backstage, Oba Femi is widely respected for his dedication and humble attitude during his rapid ascension. A WWE insider told us, “Oba is the kind of talent the company loves. He listens, he learns, and he’s always pushing himself to get better. The whole roster recognizes his work ethic.”
As of 2025, Oba Femi has amassed a winning percentage near 74% over 61 matches, underscoring his consistent excellence since debuting. His achievements include not only the NXT North American Championship but also the NXT Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge victory, adding to his decorated résumé.
What’s Next for Oba Femi?
Now firmly established as a top star on WWE’s NXT brand with a heritage rooted in athletics and a skill set sharpened in wrestling’s crucible, Oba Femi’s future looks extremely promising. Wrestling analysts predict his blend of raw power, agility, and now the refined ability to control pacing could eventually propel him toward main roster stardom.
As one talent agent remarked, “Oba Femi’s journey from track star to wrestling champion perfectly shows how versatile athletes can succeed in WWE, but it also highlights the indispensable role of the Performance Center in shaping raw potential into polished superstars.”
For fans and industry watchers alike, Oba represents the future: a new generation of wrestling personas emerging from diverse athletic backgrounds, embracing the sport’s nuances, and redefining what it means to be a champion.
Oba Femi’s experience is a compelling reminder that sometimes the greatest challenge isn’t muscle or speed, but patience and craft. His ability to slow down, absorb the complexity of professional wrestling, and then unleash his full potential at the perfect moments makes him a compelling figure to follow in the evolving world of WWE.