Former NBA shooting guard Lance Stephenson defeated his longtime basketball rival Michael Beasley via submission in the first round of their celebrity mixed martial arts bout on Saturday night, May 23, 2026, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Stephenson secured the victory using a rear-naked choke at the 1:26 mark of the opening round during the Brand Risk 14 event, promoted by Adin Ross.
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The matchup served as a combat sports debut for both retired athletes, who spent over a decade playing in the NBA and various international leagues before transitioning to the cage.
Prior to the fight, Beasley had trained at the UFC Performance Institute with members of the Xtreme Couture fight team, where UFC fighter Jordan Leavitt demonstrated submission techniques.
The MMA fight followed an infamous one-on-one basketball game held last year, in which Beasley defeated Stephenson with a final score of 31-21.
Before entering the cage, the two fighters exchanged several public statements regarding their motivations and expectations for the upcoming bout.
"I took this fight because Lance owes me some money. He owes me some money from a bet we made last year.
We made a bit, and he never paid it. I am going to get my money," said Beasley, former Los Angeles Lakers forward.
In response, Stephenson detailed his physical preparation and issued a warning reminiscent of a legendary heavyweight boxer.
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