Story by
Former NBA forward submits Michael Beasley in wild Adin Ross MMA crossover
- Story by
- Former NBA forward submits Michael Beasley in wild Adin Ross MMA crossover
Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images for BIG3
Brand Risk 14 brought Adin Ross' combat sports promotion back into focus last Saturday at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
The card mixed MMA and boxing, with former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel facing influencer and podcaster Bob Menery in the main event.
Advertisement
Yet one of the most talked-about matchups came from basketball, as former NBA players Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson stepped into an MMA fight.
Lance Stephenson submits Michael Beasley in former NBA clash
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Beasley arrived with serious basketball pedigree, having been the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft before spending 11 years in the league.
Stephenson, a second-round pick in 2010, also built a long NBA career and became known for his disruptive, energetic style.
That edge translated quickly. Beasley landed a sharp left hand early, but Stephenson closed distance, secured a body lock and took him down.
Advertisement
Beasley briefly appeared close to a guillotine, but the position was loose and Stephenson escaped before taking his back.
From there, Stephenson locked in a rear-naked choke and forced the tap within the opening round.
The finish gave the event a viral crossover moment, and it fueled wider fan interest in seeing more basketball names test themselves in that setting.
LeBron James , Draymond Green and Steven Adams were among the NBA players fans mentioned online as dream additions to that kind of venture.
Read more:
