Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Reveals Talks with UFC President Dana White

Brown says he's discussed potential UFC opportunities after his NBA career.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has revealed that he has spoken with UFC president Dana White about potential opportunities in mixed martial arts after his NBA career. Brown, who has Muay Thai training, said he's "toyed with" the idea of competing in the UFC or boxing in the future.

Why it matters

Brown's comments indicate a growing interest among NBA players in exploring opportunities in combat sports after their basketball careers. This could signal a shift in how professional athletes view their post-playing options and diversify their revenue streams.

The details

During NBA All-Star weekend, Brown told ESPN's Brett Okamoto that he's had discussions with Dana White about potential UFC or boxing matches once his NBA career winds down. Brown said he's "talked to some people" about the idea and that he'd "love to partake in something like UFC or even boxing" after his NBA days are over.

  • Jaylen Brown made these comments during NBA All-Star weekend in 2026.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A star player for the Boston Celtics who is having an MVP-caliber season in 2026.

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier mixed martial arts organization.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Jaylen Brown (ESPN)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Jaylen Brown will actually pursue a career in combat sports after his NBA days are over. Any potential fight or match would likely be contingent on him remaining healthy and productive during the remainder of his basketball career.

The takeaway

Jaylen Brown's comments highlight the growing interest among NBA players in exploring opportunities outside of basketball, particularly in combat sports. This could open up new revenue streams and career paths for professional athletes looking to diversify their post-playing options.