36-Year-Old and unbeaten in MMA! NBA players regard James Johnson as the most feared athelete in the league

Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall James Johnson is unbeaten in MMA , kickboxing and has a second degree black belt in karate

James Johnson ( via : Marca)

Indiana Pacers forward James Johnson is one of the scariest individuals off the court. In a recent poll, The Athletic asked the NBA players who in the NBA would they least want to fight. Their answer was Veteran forward, James Johnson. While Johnson is one of the most humble people you can find his skills and record as a martial artist are more than enough to scare anybody.

The powerful Pacers Forward has spent nearly 14 years of his life playing in the NBA. However, before his NBA days, Johnson was a hardcore martial artist. James Johnson started training in Karate at a very young age and has a second-level black belt in martial arts. This love for Karate however is shared by the whole Johnson Family. Johnson’s father is a black belt with 10 national karate titles and 5 world champions. Johnson’s mother has captured 5 national titles and all of his siblings are black belts with national titles or runner-ups at least.

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James Johnson won 7 MMA fights with no loss and 20 kickboxing fights with no loss as well. The Pacers forward is nickname Bloodsport and won his first MMA fight at the age of 18. Apart from his fighting skills Johnson also has a huge frame standing 6 foot and 7 inches tall. So, it’s not hard to see why no one from NBA wants any smoke with James Johnson
However, Johnson is 36 years of age and suffered many injuries during his term in the NBA. Aged 36, He is also the oldest member of the Indiana Pacer’s roster. James Johnson is not seen a lot on the court due to issues with his back in recent games. Johnson has also talked about fighting in the UFC after his NBA career. With Johnson’s reach and his skills, he might even make a decent heavyweight fighter.

James Johnson is willing to fight in the UFC after NBA if Dana White calls

James johnson interested in UFC — Dana White, James Johnson( via : MMA Junkie/Hoops Rumour)

James Johnson has spent nearly 14 years of his life playing in NBA. The 6 foot 7 inches power forward was drafted 16th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by Chicago Bulls. However, prior to his illustrious career in NBA James Johnson was an MMA fighter. Johnson had 7 matches in MMA with an additional unbeaten 20-0 record in kickboxing.

Johnson has a second-degree black belt in Karate and was nicknamed ‘ bloodsport’. However, it looks like the love for martial arts runs in the whole Johnson Family. Johnson’s parents and siblings have black belts in Karate. Johnson is now 36 years old and has frequent injuries and soreness leading to his absence from the games. When asked if after he was released and Dana White gave him a call would he be interested in fighting for the UFC. Johnson did not wait for a second to answer and stated he would like to return to his first love.

“I have been fighting all my life… That is my first love, my first love. I would love that. The fighter’s mind, the fighter’s heart doesn’t go away. I still see guys right now trying to kick, like Chuck Liddell, Silva.” said Johnson. James Johnson is currently playing as a power forward for the Indiana Pacers and is the oldest player on the team’s roster. Johnson hasn’t been part of the team’s rotation recently due to his injuries. Taking his age and injuries into consideration a move to MMA might not be in cards for Johnson but he could always pull it off.

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