James Johnson: MMA Still My First Love Over NBA
Former NBA forward James Johnson says mixed martial arts remains his true passion, reflecting on his kickboxing and MMA roots and a past claim about facing Jon Jones.
Johnson fought 20 kickboxing bouts and seven MMA matches before the NBA drafted him 16th overall.
He turned professional in kickboxing and MMA before switching codes, winning 20 kickboxing bouts and seven in MMA, and was picked 16th overall in the NBA draft at 22, going on to spend 16 years in the league.
Asked about an old claim that he could beat Jon Jones after a year of training, he was more measured. He declined to back the Jon Jones claim.
Johnson now plays for the NBA team, having joined the side in April 2026 but has yet to register a point.
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