Shaquille O’Neal is regarded as one of the many Lakers Legends; he has won 3 championships with the LA team. In his day, he was a force to be reckoned with. O’Neal won 3 rings with Kobe Bryant, taking all 3 final MVPs home.

Notably, O’Neal credits the silverware he won in those 3 years to his time exploring martial arts. It is no secret that Shaquille O’Neal was always a combat sports enthusiast. Whether it was wrestling, boxing, or martial arts, he had a keen interest in all. In fact, in an interview with TNT, Shaq can be seen doing an MMA workout.

During the interview, Shaq talks about his learnings on the MMA mat and how they translated to the NBA court. In addition, he talked about how his MMA training helped him earn his rings. Not to mention, Shaquille O’Neal averaged 27.7 points per game in the 3-peat seasons.

Shaquille O’Neal and his relationship with MMA

In the interview, Shaq is working out at the prestigious UFC performance center. During the same, O’Neal explains how his MMA training helped him achieve what he wanted and earn accolades in the sport of basketball. Further, he talks about how his skills had plateaued and how MMA training helped him with his 3 rings.

Shaq says, “MMA training is the reason I have three championships in a row. When you get to a certain level, how many jump hook so many free throws…I mean I was gonna run up and down the court. It just wasn’t working so I started the training and work. When I left Miami and got older, I kind of got away from that and I went back to being normal.”

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Shaquille O’Neal has always been associated with combat sports. Recently, he was spotted working out with MMA and UFC giant Nate Diaz. He is often present at UFC events and is also friends with Dana White. Additionally, O’Neal has also had a grappling contest with UFC fighter Greg Hardy.

Every WWE Appearance Shaquille O’Neal made before going to AEW

Shaq is a 7’1” giant weighing 325 pounds. No matter how skilled the opponent is, no one wants to fight the Lakers and Miami legend.

Shaquille O’Neal fights boxer De La Hoya

In an event where NBA players fought actual boxers, Shaq fought De La Olla in a bout that lasted a few rounds. However, the exhibition match ended in defeat for the NBA legend.

In addition, Shaq told TMZ in an interview that he was going easy in the fight as De LA Hoya was a friend. Shaq lost the match that was a part of his show ‘Shaq VS’. He says “I held back ’cause he was my friend.”

Furthermore, Shaquille O’Neal was also rumored to fight his ‘Inside the NBA’ co-host and long-time friend Charles Barkley. That is a fight that would surely attract millions of viewers. Watching O’Neal and Chuck battle it out with gloves instead of words would be exciting.

In a more recent video, Shaq is seen running behind Barkley after getting punched by him. It appears that the fight may be closer than it seems, as the duo keeps showing teasers of a potential exhibition on live television.

It would never have been common knowledge that Shaq loves aggressive combat sports until he told the media. Shaq truly is a mysterious character that never fails to surprise his fans. Do you think he could’ve had an alternative career as an MMA fighter?