WUDANG, CHINA –Dillon Brooks has never needed much help finding intensity. He may have found a new way to showcase it with the UFC. While the Suns are in China for their NBA preseason games, Brooks was spotted training with UFC fighter Li Jingliang, creating one of the preseason’s more unexpected basketball-meets-combat-sports crossovers.
Dillon Brooks spotted training with the UFC:
Dillon’s China Tour continues by training at @ufc with Li Jingliang 💪 pic.twitter.com/KWeo9p9A39
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 9, 2026
For a player known as “Dillon the Villain,” the pairing somehow makes perfect sense. Brooks has built his reputation on playing with an edge. He embraces physicality, confrontation, and the emotional side of basketball. Put him in a training session with a UFC fighter and, well, Phoenix fans probably aren’t surprised that he looks comfortable. But the bigger story isn’t simply that Brooks trained with a fighter; it is that he continues to embrace the opportunity to represent the Suns beyond the court.
Feb 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix forward Brooks (3) against the Los Angeles Clippers at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The China trip gives Phoenix a chance to introduce its players and personality to an international audience. Brooks appears to be leaning into that opportunity, allowing fans to see more of the personality that makes him such a recognizable figure around the NBA. There is also a natural Arizona connection to the UFC. Phoenix has long been a strong market for combat sports, with UFC stars such as Sean O’Malley becoming familiar faces around Arizona and Suns games.
Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix forward Brooks (3) yells to his teammate for the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) defends in the second quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
That makes this crossover feel bigger than a random preseason activity. The NBA and UFC occupy completely different sporting worlds, but Brooks is an unusually natural bridge between them. His intensity is part of his basketball identity, and now it is becoming part of the Suns’ global brand. For Phoenix, that is the real win. The Suns aren’t just taking basketball to China; they’re taking their personality with them.
Feb 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix forward Brooks (3) against the Orlando Magic in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
