Kristaps Porzingis, following in Ilia Topuria's footsteps?: "I am saving myself for an MMA career after basketball"

Kristaps Porzingis already knows what it's like to be an NBA champion and has had a remarkable career as one of the most talented centers of his generation, although marked by injuries. Now, the Latvian has surprised everyone by revealing an unusual plan for his future: after basketball, he wants to dedicate himself to mixed martial arts.

“MMA is a sport very close to my heart. It's number one for me as a spectator. It fires me up,” the player himself confessed in statements collected by Bleacher Report and BasketNews. Porzingis explained that he has already been involved in a project related to combat sports, although it is still in its early stages. This past summer, he even tried MMA training, but clarified that he has committed to one of his clubs not to pursue it seriously while his NBA career lasts. “I'm saving myself for a career in MMA after basketball,” he affirmed.

Porzingis's NBA Career

The decision, although curious, seems sensible in the short term. The 7'3" center has been particularly fragile physically, not surpassing 57 games played in a season since his first two years with the Knicks. His medical issues have included knee, ankle, calf, quad, hamstring, back, and even an eye injury. This raises questions about how he could withstand a contact sport as extreme as mixed martial arts.

For now, the Atlanta Hawks, who acquired him this summer from the Celtics, trust that he will focus solely on basketball. They won't want their star signing to risk stepping into the octagon prematurely. Porzingis, part of the championship team in Boston in 2024, comes off averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, stats very close to his career averages. The plan, in essence, is clear: remain competitive in the NBA and save striking, submissions, and takedowns for his "second professional life."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kristaps Porzingis, ¿tras los pasos de Ilia Topuria?: "Me reservo para una carrera en MMA después del baloncesto"