Celtics' Jaylen Brown eyes potential combat sports career, has spoken with UFC CEO Dana White
The bridge between the NBA hardwood and the combat sports world has rarely been crossed by athletes of this caliber, but Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown is already plotting his trajectory for life after basketball. During Saturday’s NBA All-Star Media Day in Los Angeles, the 2024 Finals MVP turned heads by revealing legitimate interest in stepping into the ring or the Octagon, confirming he has held preliminary conversations with UFC CEO Dana White regarding a potential future in combat sports.
Brown, currently in the midst of a dominant 2025-26 campaign where he is averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game, admitted that the idea isn't merely a flight of fancy. "To be honest, I've toyed with this, and I've talked to some people," Brown told reporters. "Maybe post-part of my career, I would love to take part in something like UFC, or even boxing. I've talked to Dana White about some stuff, but we'll see as things go on."
The pivot to fighting wouldn't be entirely out of left field for the 29-year-old forward. Combat sports are in his DNA; his father, Marselles Brown, was a 7-foot professional boxer and former WBU World Heavyweight Champion. Furthermore, the Celtics’ culture under head coach Joe Mazzulla is steeped in martial arts philosophy. Mazzulla, an avid UFC fan who regularly attends fights and utilizes MMA footage in film sessions to teach spacing and leverage, has likely fueled Brown’s appreciation for the discipline. Brown has also incorporated Muay Thai into his offseason training regimen to improve his footwork and core strength.
At 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds, Brown would technically slot into the UFC’s heavyweight division, a terrifying prospect given his elite athleticism and wingspan. While Celtics fans can rest easy knowing their franchise cornerstone remains focused on securing another banner, Brown’s admission adds a fascinating layer to his athletic profile. For now, he remains lethal on the court, but the seed has been planted for a blockbuster pay-per-view event once his sneakers are hung up for good.
Brown, currently in the midst of a dominant 2025-26 campaign where he is averaging a career-high 29.3 points per game, admitted that the idea isn't merely a flight of fancy. "To be honest, I've toyed with this, and I've talked to some people," Brown told reporters. "Maybe post-part of my career, I would love to take part in something like UFC, or even boxing. I've talked to Dana White about some stuff, but we'll see as things go on."
The pivot to fighting wouldn't be entirely out of left field for the 29-year-old forward. Combat sports are in his DNA; his father, Marselles Brown, was a 7-foot professional boxer and former WBU World Heavyweight Champion. Furthermore, the Celtics’ culture under head coach Joe Mazzulla is steeped in martial arts philosophy. Mazzulla, an avid UFC fan who regularly attends fights and utilizes MMA footage in film sessions to teach spacing and leverage, has likely fueled Brown’s appreciation for the discipline. Brown has also incorporated Muay Thai into his offseason training regimen to improve his footwork and core strength.
At 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds, Brown would technically slot into the UFC’s heavyweight division, a terrifying prospect given his elite athleticism and wingspan. While Celtics fans can rest easy knowing their franchise cornerstone remains focused on securing another banner, Brown’s admission adds a fascinating layer to his athletic profile. For now, he remains lethal on the court, but the seed has been planted for a blockbuster pay-per-view event once his sneakers are hung up for good.
