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Mavericks point guard Deron Williams is obsessed with mixed martial arts.
"I don't miss fights," he said. "Every UFC fight, Fight Pass, if I miss them, I'll record them and watch them later."
Now, Williams is taking his obsession to the next level, partnering to develop a new gym in Deep Ellum named Fortis MMA. It's not simply an investment to watch others work out, grapple or punch. Williams would like to compete when his NBA career is over.
"I think it would be realistic," he said. My coach "wants me to fight [in the cage]. I don't know about that. I will do some jiu-jitsu grappling tournaments."
Williams, 32, is in the twilight of a basketball career plagued by injuries. His last team, the Brooklyn Nets, bought out his contract. The 6-3, 200-pound Williams recently re-signed with the Mavericks on a one-year, $9-million deal.
Williams, who has played in only eight of the Mavericks' first 16 games this season because of injuries, says the MMA training helps lessen the impact on his body.
"I can control my body better," Williams said. "I can hit the bag, with very little movement and do some light rolling and get a great workout and learn and drill. That's what I love about it. ... My body has taken a pounding from running on the court."
But he isn't allowed to take a pounding in MMA yet.
"I don't think there is something specifically for MMA but there is language that could get you into trouble," Williams said about restrictions in his Mavericks contract. "You can't ride a motorcycle. You can't ski. If you got hurt playing football, you could definitely void your contract or face a fine."
Williams, who grew up in The Colony, wrestled from ages 5 to 13 and won youth state championships. He stopped wrestling because of conflicts with his basketball schedule.
http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dal...ron-williams-opens-mma-gym-dallas-plans-fight
"I don't miss fights," he said. "Every UFC fight, Fight Pass, if I miss them, I'll record them and watch them later."
Now, Williams is taking his obsession to the next level, partnering to develop a new gym in Deep Ellum named Fortis MMA. It's not simply an investment to watch others work out, grapple or punch. Williams would like to compete when his NBA career is over.
"I think it would be realistic," he said. My coach "wants me to fight [in the cage]. I don't know about that. I will do some jiu-jitsu grappling tournaments."
Williams, 32, is in the twilight of a basketball career plagued by injuries. His last team, the Brooklyn Nets, bought out his contract. The 6-3, 200-pound Williams recently re-signed with the Mavericks on a one-year, $9-million deal.
Williams, who has played in only eight of the Mavericks' first 16 games this season because of injuries, says the MMA training helps lessen the impact on his body.
"I can control my body better," Williams said. "I can hit the bag, with very little movement and do some light rolling and get a great workout and learn and drill. That's what I love about it. ... My body has taken a pounding from running on the court."
But he isn't allowed to take a pounding in MMA yet.
"I don't think there is something specifically for MMA but there is language that could get you into trouble," Williams said about restrictions in his Mavericks contract. "You can't ride a motorcycle. You can't ski. If you got hurt playing football, you could definitely void your contract or face a fine."
Williams, who grew up in The Colony, wrestled from ages 5 to 13 and won youth state championships. He stopped wrestling because of conflicts with his basketball schedule.
http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dal...ron-williams-opens-mma-gym-dallas-plans-fight
