Daniel Cormier better watch out ... there's a new guy comin' for the UFC heavyweight belt -- ex-NBA player
Royce White!!
The 6'8", 260-pounder announced he's now transitioning to MMA and even has a full-time coach in Minnesota.
In his new book "MMA x NBA," the 27-year-old says he's dead serious about becoming a pro fighter -- and he's got some BIG goals.
“I’m coming for the UFC Heavyweight Crown,” RW told
The Last Renaissance.
He's even hooked up with famed MMA coach Greg Nelson -- who has trained UFC stars like
Brock Lesnar.
It's an interesting move for White who's been making headlines for years -- both for his athletic talent and his fight with the NBA and Houston Rockets over the way they deal with
mental health issues.
White's story is pretty well-known ... after dominating at Iowa State, he was selected 16th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft ... but didn't make his NBA debut until 2014 due to a dispute with the Houston Rockets over his mental health condition.
White was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in grade school -- he's openly talked about how the condition affects many facets of his life, especially flying.
Royce was drafted by the Rockets and immediately became openly outspoken for mental health awareness in the NBA, a stance he believes strained his relationship with league officials.