January 3, 2026, Inglewood, California, USA: Head coach, Joseph Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics during their 2025 NBA, Basketball Herren, USA regular season game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday January 3, 2026 at Intuit Dome Arena in Inglewood, California. Clippers lose to Celtics, 146-115. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Inglewood USA - ZUMAp124 20260103_zaa_p124_048 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
January 3, 2026, Inglewood, California, USA: Head coach, Joseph Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics during their 2025 NBA, Basketball Herren, USA regular season game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday January 3, 2026 at Intuit Dome Arena in Inglewood, California. Clippers lose to Celtics, 146-115. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Inglewood USA - ZUMAp124 20260103_zaa_p124_048 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
Jul 19, 2026, 5:30 PM CUT
Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Explains Why He Trains in MMA During NBA Season
Joe Mazzulla's championship edge comes from an unlikely place. The youngest coach to win an NBA championship since Bill Russell in 1969 and one of the most decorated coaches has reasons to be different, and his off-court practices tell us all.
While on tour, when most coaches are sightseeing or relaxing in a hotel room, Mazzulla is looking for a gym to train martial arts. Mazzulla started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2017.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Uncrowned, the Boston Celtics head coach said: "It's the fighter's mind. I think I have a lot of respect for the fighter, and when we're in other cities, it's us against the city. It's us against not just that team, but the arena, that city."
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 21: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on December 21, 2024 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire NBA, Basketball Herren, USA DEC 21 Celtics at Bulls EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241221065
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 21: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla during the first half against the Chicago Bulls on December 21, 2024 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire NBA, Basketball Herren, USA DEC 21 Celtics at Bulls EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon241221065
Mazzulla said, "I think it just keeps you fresh, mentally and physically, so that when I'm helping the team, I have that little fighter mentality. It just helps grow a little bit of an edge, and every little bit helps. And it's fun; I enjoy it."
The fighters' mindset helps him build his team and give them the mentality of treating every away game as a fight against the building, the crowd, and the opponent all at once
With another championship chase ahead for Boston, expect the habit to travel with him, and don't forget your gym bag!
Fight camp habits of Joe Mazzulla reveal his coaching edge
Joe Mazzulla does not train MMA solely to improve his mindset; his physical skills and cognitive reaction time are also shaped by it, and he trains more than just Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He trains it all.
Footage shared by MMA insider Ariel Helwani captured Mazzulla hitting the mitts and putting in some heavy grappling rounds at the renowned Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas, training under acclaimed MMA coach Eric Nicksick.
His ongoing relationship with Nicksick goes beyond physical preparation. The two regularly exchange ideas about building championship habits.
This is what he refers to as a “simulation of a lifelong journey,” viewing each round as preparation for pressure he will experience on an NBA sideline.
Mazzulla is definitely going out of his way to study fights more closely and help his team take a different approach to every match, and adopt that never-giving-up mindset like fighters.
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Written by
Proma Chatterjee
Edited by
Ashvinkumar Patil