Over the years, UFC events have attracted celebrities and athletes from every corner of the sports and entertainment world. UFC 319 is no different. With Dricus Du Plessis set to defend his middleweight title against the dangerous Khamzat Chimaev, the star-studded crowd has already begun to fill the United Center in Chicago. Some, however, like Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, made sure to arrive early.
Before the preliminary card even kicked off, the 37-year-old coach was spotted cageside, ready to take in the entire night of action. Mike Bohn of USA Today reported on X, “Celtics coach and massive MMA fan Joe Mazzulla is cageside at #UFC319 well ahead of the first fight.” Mazzulla is no stranger to the UFC—he attended UFC 292 in Boston and UFC 303 in Las Vegas—and his passion for combat sports runs deeper than most.
Celtics coach and massive MMA fan Joe Mazzulla is cageside at #UFC319 well ahead of the first fight. pic.twitter.com/cPWh92OkQk
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) August 16, 2025
He has trained with elite MMA gyms, including sessions under Xtreme Couture’s Eric Nicksick, and is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Interestingly, Mazzulla’s love for MMA even influences his coaching style. He reportedly uses UFC fight footage as a teaching tool for the Celtics, showing clips to highlight focus, toughness, and composure under pressure—qualities he believes directly translate to basketball.
His involvement in the sport has also fostered unique connections, including with UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili, who once invited him to corner her for a fight. Still, while Mazzulla turned heads with his early arrival, fans couldn’t help but notice one familiar face missing from the usual UFC celebrity mix—comedian Theo Von.
One user wrote, “In the arena before the prelims have even begun. Respect.”
Another wrote, “This is what everyone who buys a ticket should do.”
Someone else commented, “Of course he’s there before the early prelims start lmao.”
The next user remarked, “Joe Mazzulla a real one.”
This user asked, “Where is Theo Von?”
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