Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is very appealing to a number of pro athletes. Some consider it a great way to keep in shape in the off season while others think it improves their safety and the ability to do their jobs.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Deron Williams appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani Monday, discussing his love for MMA and his investment in the sport.
“I’ve been watching [MMA] for a while, just growing up being a wrestler,” he told Helwani. “As the years have gone on, I ended up meeting different UFC fighters and befriending a couple and really got into it because of that. … I just have a love for the sport; I train as well, so I think that brings me even closer.”
Williams is looking to find some competition of his own down the line:
“I’m gonna do some [jiu-jitsu] tournaments for sure,” he said. “I’ll probably have to [wait until retirement]; it would probably be the smartest thing to do. I do mostly no-gi; I’ve done some gi, [but] it’s just a little too slow-paced for me right now.”
