Kristaps Porzingis Wants To Pursue An MMA Career After He Retires From Basketball

Kristaps Porzingis is expected to be a key contributor for the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming season. As exciting as the immediate future is, Porzingis appears to have his sights set on a career after basketball. During an interview with Sporta Centrs, the Latvian center expressed his desire to pursue an MMA career after retirement. He said:

"MMA is a sport that is very close to my heart. Number one in terms of viewing. It is something that I am passionate about, which is why I decided to participate in a new MMA project. Everything is still in progress – when we get closer to the final result, I will be able to tell you more.”

"This summer I played a little tennis and padel tennis - very good sports in the summer, especially in the fresh air. I have also tried my hand at MMA, but I promised one of the clubs I represented that I would not do it during my career. I am "saving up" to start an MMA career after basketball."

The notion of Porzingis entering the octagon is certainly intriguing. At 7'2" tall, Porzingis would easily be among the tallest mixed martial artists in the world. With an impressive wingspan and reach, he could be lethal while striking.

At 240 lbs, the big man would qualify to fight in the heavyweight division. When considering the competition in this bracket, Porzingis would certainly have his work cut out for him if he plans to compete professionally at any level.

The Latvian's exploration of his passions and a variety of different sports is a positive sight in the offseason. Given his poor condition during the playoffs, it appears that the 30-year-old is in good health again.

This will also be viewed quite favorably by the Atlanta Hawks. Having acquired the big man via trade with the Boston Celtics, the Hawks intend to create a dynamic duo featuring Porzingis and their star guard, Trae Young.

When considering Porzingis' skill set, his ability to stretch the floor and his athleticism complement Young's elite pick-and-roll playmaking ability. 

Last season, the big man recorded an average of 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 48.3% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range. These figures could see a significant uptick now that he's the second option on offense.

The next season is a promising one for Porzingis and the Hawks. With the moves they've made this offseason, Atlanta has established itself as a threat in the Eastern Conference.

The 2025-26 season also comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles. With Young's contract extension looming, the regular season is poised to be a test of whether the star can lead such a stacked team to the promised land. The expectations for Young and Porzingis to deliver results will inevitably increase as we near the start of the new season.