NBA champion coach Joe Mazzulla, who led the Boston Celtics to their 18th championship title, celebrated his recent victory by treating his family to a night of combat sports entertainment in Las Vegas. Mazzulla, known for his passion for mixed martial arts, was spotted at the UFC 303 pay-per-view event at the T-Mobile Arena.
Besides Mazulla there were several other celebrities in attendance including Mark Wahlberg, Jelly Roll, Gordon Ramsey, and Dan Reynolds and Minka Kelly. Like Mazulla, Reynolds also does BJJ in his free time.
Mazzulla’s decision to attend the UFC event came as no surprise, given his well-documented appreciation for the parallels between basketball and MMA. The Celtics coach has often spoken about the importance of strategy, discipline, and mental toughness in both sports, attributes that have served him well throughout his coaching career.
The highlight of the evening was the highly anticipated rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka, with Pereira emerging victorious in a thrilling round two technical knockout. Mazzulla was on the edge of his seat, captivated by the intense display of skills and athleticism showcased by the two warriors.
Mazzulla’s passion for mixed martial arts, particularly Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has been a driving force in his personal and professional development. Over the past year, the 35-year-old coach has been training with Alex Costa at the Gracie Barra Boston martial arts school, citing the instruction as directly applicable to his role as an NBA head coach.
“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done,” Mazzulla told ESPN’s Michael Eaves. “What the art really gives is the study of transitions, and that really helps me because in a game and in a season, there’s transitions and decision making. You’re actually learning how not to fight. You’re learning how to handle situations. You’re learning how to problem solve.”
