Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has sparked crossover buzz after revealing he’s interested in pursuing MMA or boxing once his NBA career is over.
Brown even confirmed that he has spoken with Dana White about the possibility. The UFC President is a New England native and longtime Celtics fan, and appears to have at least entertained the idea.
At 29 years old, Brown is listed at 6-foot-6 and 223 pounds. Physically, that frame could translate well to MMA. He could compete at light heavyweight (205 lbs) without a drastic cut. Or Brown could potentially drop to middleweight (185 lbs), where his length and reach would present serious advantages.
Of course, elite athleticism doesn’t automatically equal success inside the cage. While basketball players are elite athletes, MMA requires years of specialized training in wrestling, grappling, and submission defense. That said, Brown isn’t starting from zero.
He has trained in Muay Thai, adding it into his offseason workouts and regular training routine for several years. That does give him a legitimate striking foundation to build upon if he ever fully committed to combat sports.
For now, his focus remains on basketball and competing for championships. But if Jaylen Brown ever makes the jump, it would instantly become one of the most fascinating crossovers in recent sports history.
