The allure of the Octagon has proven irresistible to a growing list of professional athletes from outside the combat sports world, creating a fascinating crossover trend that Dana White has eagerly capitalized on.
Now, in a move that has sent shockwaves through both the basketball and mixed martial arts worlds, NBA superstar Jaylen Brown has thrown his hat into the ring. During a recent press conference, the Boston Celtics forward openly stated that he is seriously considering a future career in the UFC.
More recently, Josh Hokit, a former Fresno State linebacker who had short stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, earned a contract after a dominant performance on Dana White's Contender Series.
He had a winning debut in the UFC's heavyweight division (via ESPN MMA on X):
It should be noted that Hokit and Lesnar have extensive collegiate wrestling backgrounds.
Fighting is no Walk in the Park
For most athletes, however, the path from their sport to an MMA cage is littered with obstacles that have tripped up even the most gifted natural athletes.
Former NFL player Greg Hardy had a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful UFC run, which ended after three consecutive knockout defeats, serves as a stark reminder of the sport's unforgiving nature.
By Tony Fisher
Austen Lane, despite his NFL pedigree, has struggled to find consistent success in the UFC, holding only one win in his last three appearances.
David Yeazell-Imagn Images
While size and athleticism provide a foundation, a lack of a high-level wrestling or combat sports background, which is a hurdle Brown would undoubtedly face, makes the climb to championship contention incredibly steep.
For now, Jaylen Brown will let his basketball career play out. The MMA world waits to see if one of the NBA’s biggest stars is truly ready to answer the call to the Octagon once he retires from the court.