- Jamal Murray, a Denver Nuggets player has opened up on his love for UFC
- The 26-year-old believes in his skill so much that he is very sure that MMA would hire him
- He recently had a friendly with UFC fighter Alexander Volkanovski
Jamal Murray, a Denver Nuggets player has opened up about his love for UFC which was the sport he would be playing if he wasn’t in the NBA.
Murray in an interview with SiriusXM Sports, said the dream remains valid since he takes lessons in martial arts and has become good at it.
The 26-year-old believes in his skill so much that he is very sure that MMA would hire him if he quit basketball.
In a recent incident, Murray gained popularity for tussling with a UFC fighter and holding his own despite nearly being choked out.
Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, recently gave Murray a quick grappling workout.
Murray demonstrated his MMA prowess, proving that if he concentrated on the sport, the champion could also win gold in the UFC.
Still, he insists that he has a good hand of the sport and is convinced he would make a run for it in the league.
Jamal Murray of Denver Nuggets. Photo/Lakers Daily
“If I wasn’t playing basketball, I would probably be in [MMA]. It’s my other love, I guess, for martial arts,” he said.
Volkanovski is more aware than most that MMA is not a sport like basketball. Islam Makhachev defeated him by knockout on Saturday in UFC 294.
For the Denver Nuggets, Murray is a fantastic player, an adept facilitator, and a dynamic scorer, which makes him an excellent defender too.
Since his selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, Murray has been one of the Nuggets’ most crucial players. In each of the previous three seasons, he assisted the Nuggets in getting to the postseason.
Remarkably, he assisted the Nuggets in 2021 in getting to the Western Conference Finals.
Denver Nuggets recognizes Murray as a versatile player known for his scoring ability from various parts of the court and his proficiency as a passer, creating opportunities for his teammates.
He’s also a solid defender who can effectively guard his opponents and contribute as a rebounder, despite his size.
Jamal Murray of Denver Nuggets. Photo/Sporting News
The Nuggets hold a very high opinion of Murray, considering him one of the top young point guards in the NBA and a vital part of their future.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone commended Murray’s exceptional talent, citing his dynamic scoring, playmaking skills, and defensive prowess.
He expressed eagerness about what the future holds for the young player. General manager Calvin Booth echoed these sentiments, labeling Murray as a franchise player and emphasizing his importance to the team’s core.
The Nuggets demonstrated their commitment by granting Murray a significant five-year, $170 million contract extension in 2021, making him one of the highest-paid point guards in the NBA.
With this investment, the Nuggets firmly believe that Murray is the cornerstone of their franchise and can lead them to an NBA championship.
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