Former NBA forward Michael Beasley made his amateur MMA debut on May 23, 2026, at Brand Risk Promotions 14 in Las Vegas — only to be submitted via rear-naked choke by fellow ex-NBA player Lance Stephenson in just 1:26 of the first round.
In his post-fight response, Beasley took the loss in stride. The 6’9″ veteran admitted he was caught off guard by Stephenson’s grappling ability, particularly the choke, despite his height and reach advantage. Beasley noted that he had trained some striking but was less prepared for the ground game.
The matchup stemmed from prior basketball history, including a viral one-on-one game where Beasley defeated Stephenson. Their MMA clash at the Adin Ross-promoted event quickly went viral, showcasing the unpredictable nature of influencer combat sports. Stephenson, known as “Born Ready,” executed a takedown and locked in the choke despite an unorthodox position.
Beasley remained upbeat in his response, laughing off the finish and expressing interest in a potential boxing rematch. He praised the experience overall while acknowledging the skill gap in grappling. The event featured several celebrity crossovers and highlighted how former athletes are testing themselves in combat sports.
This bout adds to the growing list of NBA stars venturing into MMA and boxing exhibitions. While Beasley’s debut ended quickly, his positive attitude and willingness to reflect publicly earned respect from fans. Stephenson, on the other hand, picked up a notable win in his MMA debut.
