{"id":802246,"date":"2026-07-15T17:28:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T17:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/802246\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T17:28:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T17:28:12","slug":"celtics-joe-mazzulla-showcased-mma-training-regimen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/802246\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla showcased MMA training regimen"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Sports Update\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t“The pursuit of that helps with the pursuit of trying to make the Celtics great, so I’ll do it as long as I can.”<\/p>\n

\"Joe
\n\tCeltics head coach Joe Mazzulla in May 2026. Danielle Parhizkaran\/Globe Staff\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Hayden Bird<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuly 15, 2026 | 11:54 AM\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

3 minutes to read<\/p>\n

Joe Mazzulla\u2019s MMA training regiment: The Celtics<\/a>\u2018 recent season ended in disappointment for Joe Mazzulla, but Boston\u2019s head coach is already up off the mat.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani (of \u201cThe Ariel Helwani Show<\/a>\u201c), Mazzulla discussed his intense training regiment, which includes working with legendary MMA trainer Eric Nicksick in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.<\/p>\n

Mazzulla showed his strength and physique in the video before sitting down with Helwani. After he was initially complimented, Mazzulla directed the praise toward Nicksick.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a great coach, huh?\u201d Mazzulla said, but Helwani noted that the Celtics coach himself looked impressive despite the fact that most basketball players who dabble in MMA \u201ccan\u2019t hit a heavy bag.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, appreciate it. I wasn\u2019t a good basketball player, so I was able to do that,\u201d Mazzulla joked.<\/p>\n

The interview touched on a number of interesting subjects, with the always-original Mazzulla presenting his unique view of the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the fighter\u2019s mind. I think I have a lot of respect for the fighter, and when we\u2019re in other cities, it\u2019s us against the city. It\u2019s us against not just that team, but the arena, that city,\u201d Mazzulla explained of his interest in the mentality of the sport. \u201cI think it just keeps you fresh, mentally and physically, so that when I\u2019m helping the team, I have that little fighter mentality. It just helps grow a little bit of an edge, and every little bit helps. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it\u2019s fun,\u201d he added. \u201cI enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Along with the physical tests he likes to put himself through, Mazzulla also noted that there\u2019s a psychological study happening in his brain as he tries to analyze fighting in comparison with coaching basketball.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other thing that\u2019s interesting is the in-fight communication,\u201d he said. \u201cI think communication can be distracting. I ask Eric a lot about what his communication is during the round. It\u2019s probably different for every fighter, but what\u2019s my communication during the game?<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a timeout component in communication, but also in-game communication. I think one of the hardest things in coaching is to relay, in a simple way, what you see to the players so that they can see it simply and execute. I think Eric does a great job of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now heading into his fifth season as Celtics\u2019 head coach, Mazzulla is still looking for every possible edge. In terms of his MMA training, he said he intends to keep going with it, since it also helps with his day job.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pursuit of that helps with the pursuit of trying to make the Celtics great, so I\u2019ll do it as long as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scores and schedules: <\/p>\n

The American League built a 4-0 lead and held on comfortably for an MLB All-Star Game win over the National League on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The Red Sox will resume games on Friday at Fenway Park against the Rays at 1:35 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tonight, Legacy FC face the Pride in Orlando at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Spain defeated France 2-0 in the first World Cup semifinal on Tuesday. Argentina face England today at 3 p.m. in the second semifinal. The final itself will be played on Sunday at 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

More from Boston.com: <\/p>\n

The Red Sox, contenders? ESPN analyst Jeff Passan weighed in on Boston\u2019s recent resurgence.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

On this day: In 1986, Roger Clemens was named MLB All-Star MVP after leading the American League to a 3-2<\/a> win over the National League, pitching three scoreless innings and notching a pair of strikeouts.<\/p>\n

\"Roger<\/p>\n

Daily highlight: After a characteristically impressive series of passes<\/a>, Spain scored a second goal via right back Pedro Porro in the eventual 2-0 semifinal win over France in the World Cup on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\u00a1\u00a1\u00a1GOL DE ESPA\u00d1A!!! \u00a1\u00a1\u00a1GOL QUE HUELE A FINAL!!! \u00a1\u00a1\u00a1GOLAZO!!! <\/p>\n

Pedro Porro define solo frente a Maignan despu\u00e9s de una gran jugada de muchos toques\u2026 \u00a1Soberbia asistencia de Olmo!<\/p>\n

La Roja vence 0-2 a Francia. pic.twitter.com\/ImGyVEkRiv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\tHayden Bird<\/a>Assistant Sports Editor\t<\/p>\n

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.<\/p>\n

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