NFL legends Chad Johnson, James Harrison tease MMA fight next year: ‘Easy win for me’

Chad Johnson and James Harrison have some distinctive Tremendous Bowl plans.

In response to their chatter on social media, the previous NFL stars anticipate to fulfill in an exhibition struggle 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 large receiver who constructed his fame with the Cincinnati Bengals, was first to tease the bout by way of a tweet on Wednesday.

“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.

Moderately than shoot down the rumor, Harrison appeared to substantiate 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 received’t matter as a result of he’s predicting a first-round end, and Harrison saying that Johnson received’t be capable to stand when the struggle is over.

Johnson, 46, went on to tout his MMA abilities, boasting that he’ll submit Harrison with a guillotine choke utilizing “a group of grappling methods and techniques the place his power received’t matter.” A one-time NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months, Harrison (additionally 46) would possible enter any contest towards Johnson with a substantial dimension benefit.

Ought to the bout come to fruition, it will 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 struggle 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 finding 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 anticipate me to do it,” Crosby stated. “I’m like, shit, I haven’t even considered it that a lot. I really 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 wishes it and I need to go in there, shit, I would. I’m not ever placing something out the window. You reside one life, so I’m going to do the whole lot I put my coronary heart to.”