Jaylen Brown May Pursue UFC Or Boxing After His NBA Career
Boston Celtics Guard Jaylen Brown may pursue a career in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) or boxing after his NBA career, per ESPN. Read on for further details.
Jaylen Brown May Pursue UFC Or Boxing After His NBA Career
Brown is widely considered one of the best two-way players in the world. His elite scoring and solid defensive skills, despite a lack of overall defensive efficiency this season, make him a great player. His recent declaration of being the best two-way player in the NBA has only solidified his case as a top talent in the league.
His NBA career with the Celtics has been on the right track, thanks to his versatility as both a scorer and a defender. His recent NBA All-Star selection and NBA MVP candidacy status have shone a positive light on his impact on the Celtics’ current roster. He has been carrying the team’s offensive load while contributing to their defense.
In the midst of his meteoric rise, he recently told reporters at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles that he “toyed” with the idea of competing in combat sports, specifically the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and professional boxing, once his professional basketball career is finished, per ESPN.
On Saturday’s NBA All-Star Media Day, Brown told reporters that he has even talked with UFC CEO Dana White, who is a Celtics fan, on the matter. Brown, who has been training in Muay Thai, said, “To be honest, I’ve toyed with this and I’ve talked to some people … 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.”
White, 56, said he “thought Jaylen (Brown) was messing with me” initially but then said that he thinks the NBA star is serious. White said, “He’s … training at the (UFC Performance Institute) the last couple days he was over there working on his Muay Thai … I think it’s awesome these guys want to try and fight.”
Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla is also an MMA fan who has attended multiple UFC events. Mazzulla, 37, said he frequently shows his team’s fight footage as teaching tools.
Jaylen Brown’s Outlook
Brown’s outlook as a Boston Celtic and as an NBA player is shining bright like a diamond, to say the least. This year’s NBA All-Star selection wasn’t his first rodeo, as he was selected to five NBA All-Star Games in 2021 and from 2023-26.
He also won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024, when he was named the NBA Finals MVP after averaging 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, while being the top defender on then-Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.
He has endured injuries, such as a partially torn meniscus that required arthroscopic knee surgery in the 2024-25 NBA season. He has been averaging 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, while shooting 48.3% from the field, 34.8% from the three-point range, and 77.5% from the free throw line, this season.
He is on pace in his NBA career, despite his recent response to the Beverly Hills Police Department after his Beverly Hills event was shut down for an alleged event permit issue.
Next Steps
The public might see Brown fighting in the UFC Octagon someday. But, for the time being, the public’s best bet would be to continue paying attention to the California alum’s role with the Boston Celtics.
