Former Utah Jazz star Deron Williams could have entered the cage with NFL player turned mixed martial artist Greg Hardy.
Ever since Deron Williams‘ run with the Cleveland Cavaliers came to an end in June of 2017, fans and pundits alike have wondered whether the former Utah Jazz star would make it back to the hardwood of the Association. At the height of his powers, he was arguably the best point guard in the NBA and he’s still just 34, after all.
Or maybe he’ll just begin anew in an entirely different sport. Apparently, he was offered a chance to do just that.
TMZ caught up to Williams ahead of UFC 228, which emanated from the three-time NBA All-Star’s hometown of Dallas, Texas this month. During the interview, he revealed that the Houston-based Legacy Fighting Alliance once inquired about his interest in entering the cage to do battle with Greg Hardy.
That’s the same Greg Hardy who spent six years in the NFL as a 6-foot-5, 280-pound defensive end before he ran afoul of the league. He later transitioned to MMA, where he’s undefeated in five fights (amateur and professional).
D-Will answered with a question of his own: “Are you crazy, right now?” I’d say that’s the appropriate response to such a proposition. However, he did leave the door open for competing in a one-off fight to raise money for charity.
Here’s the tape, via TMZ —
Despite his Williams’ (completely justified) hesitancy to battle an up-and-coming knockout specialist who outweighs him by 60-plus pounds at fighting weight, the former Jazzman remains deeply involved in combat sports. He owns Fortis MMA in Dallas, where multiple professional fighters train under Sayif ‘Smash’ Saud.
One of those fighters — UFC heavyweight Rashad Coulter — noted to TMZ that Williams is a “good wrestler and has fast hands.” As a child, he even won two state wrestling championships in Texas; once as an eight-year-old in the 67-pound weight class and the other time as a 12-year-old at 116 pounds.
Regardless, Williams, who still owns a home in Utah and reconciled with his former coach, Jerry Sloan, in June, seems content to live life as a family man and occasionally host his own MMA podcast, Ballers & Brawlers. For now.