Jaylen Brown: I’ve toyed with idea of UFC, boxing after NBA career (0:38)
Celtics star Jaylen Brown expresses his desire to partake in something like UFC or boxing after his NBA career ends. (0:38)
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Brett OkamotoFeb 15, 2026, 12:36 PM ET
- Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: «Chuck and Tito,» which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown says he has «toyed» with the idea of competing in combat sports once his professional basketball career is finished.
Brown, 29, told reporters at the NBA All-Star Game media day on Saturday that he has even talked with UFC CEO Dana White, who is an avid Celtics fan, on the matter.
«To be honest, I’ve toyed with this and I’ve talked to some people,» said Brown, who has training in Muay Thai. «Maybe post part of my career, I’d love to partake in something like UFC or even boxing. I’ve talked to Dana White about some stuff, but we’ll see as things go on. We’ll see.»
Brown is a five-time NBA All-Star and the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is also an avid MMA fan who has attended multiple UFC events and has said he frequently shows his team fight footage as teaching tools.
