Chad Johnson and James Harrison have some distinctive Tremendous Bowl plans.
In keeping with their chatter on social media, the previous NFL stars count on to satisfy in an exhibition battle underneath MMA guidelines someday previous to the upcoming Tremendous Bowl LIX, which takes place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9.
Johnson, the flashy huge receiver who constructed his popularity with the Cincinnati Bengals, was first to tease the bout through a tweet on Wednesday.
I’m combating James Harrison in a exhibition MMA format 3 spherical bout in New Orleans earlier than Tremendous Bowl, I’m so excited
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 2, 2024
“I’m combating James Harrison in a exhibition MMA format three-round bout in New Orleans earlier than Tremendous Bowl, I’m so excited,” Johnson wrote.
Reasonably than shoot down the rumor, Harrison appeared to verify Johnson’s announcement, replaying in a quote tweet, “It’s 5 rounds, [Johnson.]”
That reply led to a back-and-forth between the retired soccer gamers, with Johnson saying the variety of rounds gained’t matter as a result of he’s predicting a first-round end, and Harrison saying that Johnson gained’t have the ability to stand when the battle is over.
Johnson, 46, went on to tout his MMA expertise, boasting that he’ll submit Harrison with a guillotine choke utilizing “a set of grappling strategies and techniques the place his power gained’t matter.” A one-time NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr, Harrison (additionally 46) would possible enter any contest towards Johnson with a substantial dimension benefit.
Received’t be a lot of a battle when i submit him with a guillotine, he’s gone be aggressive & underestimate my floor work, I’ve a set of grappling strategies & methods the place his power gained’t matter, straightforward win for me. https://t.co/v7XvBhoPue
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 4, 2024
Ought to the bout come to fruition, it might mark Johnson’s second foray into fight sports activities. He competed in an exhibition boxing bout towards Brian Maxwell on June 6, 2021, on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard. Although Johnson fared properly for essentially the most half, he was knocked down in closing moments of the four-round exhibition bout. As a result of battle being an exhibition, no official winner was introduced.
Harrison was a fearsome linebacker throughout his 15-year professional profession and a key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Tremendous Bowl champion groups in 2006 and 2009. In 2023, Harrison was inducted into the franchise’s Corridor of Honor.
No date has been introduced for Johnson vs. Harrison and it sounds just like the athletes themselves are nonetheless checking out the small print.
In associated information, present Las Vegas Raiders star and diehard UFC fan Maxx Crosby, 27, additionally expressed an curiosity in mixing the martial arts in an interview with TMZ.
“All my guys, all my teammates are like, one hundred pc, they already count on me to do it,” Crosby mentioned. “I’m like, shit, I haven’t even considered it that a lot. I like combating. I field rattling close to each single day, so we’ll see.
“I adore it. I really adore it, so we’ll see. If my coronary heart needs it and I need to go in there, shit, I’d. I’m not ever placing something out the window. You reside one life, so I’m going to do all the pieces I put my coronary heart to.”
