Kristaps Porzingis revealed he's passionate about MMA and might plan to pursue a career in the sport once his basketball days are over.
Atlanta Hawks big man Kristaps Porzingis just dropped some juicy tidbits in a Sportacentrs interview. The 7'2" (2.18 m) sharpshooter isn't just about basketball—he's also got an eye on the MMA cage.
"MMA is a sport that's very close to my heart. It's number one for watching," Porzingis said. "It's something I get fired up about, so I decided to join a new MMA project. Everything is still in process — once we get closer to the final result, I'll be able to share more."
"This summer, I've also tried MMA, but I promised one of the clubs I represent that I wouldn't pursue it during my basketball career. I'm saving myself for an MMA career after basketball," the 30-year-old added with a smile.
For now, Porzingis' focus is firmly on the court. With FIBA EuroBasket 2025 approaching, he's set to lead Latvia's charge on home soil.
Latvia has impressed in recent FIBA competitions, and Porzingis is eager to deliver—especially since he hasn't represented his country in a major tournament since FIBA EuroBasket 2017, his first and only one to date.
Last season, Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game for the Boston Celtics. He was traded to Atlanta in late June and will play his 10th NBA season with the Hawks jersey.
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