Giant NBA titlist, standing at 7 feet 2 inches, determined to embark on a mixed martial arts career following his $200 million basketball odyssey
Kristaps Porzingis, the towering 7'2" NBA star, has recently expressed his intention to pursue a career in mixed martial arts (MMA) after his basketball days are over. The Latvian powerhouse, who is currently playing his 10th season in the NBA, has been traded to the Atlanta Hawks this offseason.
Porzingis has been training in MMA during his off-seasons, but has kept his engagement low to focus on his basketball commitments. His passion for the sport is evident, as he mentioned that MMA is a sport close to his heart. However, he has refrained from pursuing it seriously during his NBA career due to a promise to his club.
At this moment, no specific MMA fight or competition timeline has been announced. Everything remains in the early stages, with details to be shared closer to his retirement. The exact timing depends on when he decides to end his basketball career and how his MMA training progresses.
In Atlanta, Porzingis is excited about the opportunity to contribute to the team. He believes that the situation in Atlanta might be better for him than it was in Boston, where he helped the Celtics win an NBA-record 18th title in 2024. Porzingis stated that Atlanta has been on the edge of the playoffs the last few years, and he believes that the expectations are high for the Hawks.
The Hawks have a potential formidable duo in Porzingis and Trae Young, along with other young talents such as Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Onyeka Okongwu. Porzingis is extension eligible with the Hawks, if they choose to do so. If not extended, he will earn nearly $31 million this season before becoming a free agent next summer.
For now, Porzingis is fully committed to his basketball career and representing Latvia in FIBA competitions. His MMA ambitions are separate from and subsequent to his basketball commitments, suggesting minimal near-term impact on his NBA performance or the Hawks. Analysts note the challenges of adapting from basketball to MMA, but the prospect of Porzingis's size and versatility in the MMA ring is certainly intriguing.
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