Jaylen Brown Teases Post-NBA Career in Fighting

The Celtics star is considering a move to the UFC or boxing after his basketball days are over.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, a five-time NBA All-Star, revealed in an interview during All-Star Weekend that he has discussed the possibility of pursuing a career in professional fighting, such as the UFC or boxing, after his basketball playing days are over. Brown, who is having a standout season averaging 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, is known for his diverse interests outside of basketball, including chess, an internship offer from NASA, and lecturing at Harvard.

Why it matters

Brown's comments about a potential post-NBA fighting career are surprising given his status as one of the NBA's elite players. It speaks to his wide-ranging interests and ambitions beyond just basketball, which have intrigued scouts and fans since he entered the league. While it remains to be seen if Brown will actually pursue fighting, his openness to the idea adds another layer to his multifaceted persona.

The details

During an interview at NBA All-Star Weekend, Brown revealed that he has "toyed with" and "talked to some people" about potentially competing in the UFC or boxing after his NBA career is over. He even said he has discussed the idea with UFC president Dana White. Brown is known for his diverse interests outside of basketball, including chess, an internship offer from NASA, and lecturing at Harvard, leading some scouts to initially question whether he was "too smart" to play in the NBA.

  • Jaylen Brown was selected to his fifth NBA All-Star Game this season.

The players

Jaylen Brown

A five-time NBA All-Star who is currently having a standout season for the Boston Celtics, averaging 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.

Dana White

The president of the UFC, who Brown says he has discussed a potential post-NBA fighting career with.

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What they’re saying

“To be honest, I've toyed with this, and I've talked to some people. Maybe in the post-career part of my life, I would love to partake in something like the UFC or even boxing. I've talked to (UFC president) Dana White about some stuff. We'll see how things go.”

— Jaylen Brown (Sporting News)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Jaylen Brown will actually pursue a fighting career after his NBA days are over, but his comments have certainly piqued interest. Fans and media will likely continue to monitor Brown's interests and ambitions outside of basketball as he continues to establish himself as one of the league's top players.

The takeaway

Jaylen Brown's revelation about his interest in a potential post-NBA fighting career adds another fascinating layer to the Celtics star's multifaceted persona. While it's unclear if he will actually follow through, Brown's openness to exploring options beyond basketball speaks to his diverse range of talents and ambitions.