Former NFL wide receiver Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson and ex-Steelers pass rusher James Harrison have agreed to a MMA exhibition fight, that will be scheduled for Super Bowl LIX weekend (February 2025).
#85 Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson
#92 Steelers linebacker James Harrison
The fight was originally announced by Johnson on X (Twitter) as a three-round bout, while Harrison confirmed it was five rounds.
I’m fighting James Harrison in a exhibition MMA format 3 round bout in New Orleans before Super Bowl, I’m so excited 😆
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) October 2, 2024
It’s 5 rounds @ochocinco 🙄 https://t.co/2X8MKfhk9a
— James Harrison (@jharrison9292) October 2, 2024
Johnson went on to say, "I'm gone beat yo a** in R0und 1 so don't worry about the other 4. I'm standing on business."
Then Harrison responded, "You not go be able to stand once I get done with you."
Former NFL stars Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson and James Harrison agree to fight in an exhibition MMA bout in New Orleans next year, ahead of of Super Bowl LIX. 💥 pic.twitter.com/K5EH8LSDKp
— theScore (@theScore) October 4, 2024
Johnson, 46, stands 6-foot-1, 192 pounds while Harrison, 46, was last listed as 6-foot, 243 pounds. This makes one question what weight class the two will be fighting in, as the one is a middleweight and the other is heavyweight.
WOW!! 🤯🤯
Chad Ochocinco and James Harrison have agreed to a MMA fight before the Super Bowl
🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿#NFL #Steelers pic.twitter.com/eSznPkQry3
— The Standard (@TheStandard412) October 4, 2024
That is to say, Harrison was one of the most feared linebackers the NFL has ever seen, so he appears to be a heavy-favorite when the two step into the ring.
Nevertheless, Ochocinco's confidence won't be shaken.
"He thinks because of his size, because of him being strong, that really means nothing," Johnson said on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe. "So, in the octagon, I'm probably going to beat his a**, just being honest."
Johnson went on to predict Harrison's approach, saying although he is bigger, he doesn't have the martial arts background, so he believes his technique will help him take down the linebacker.
"I can tell you what he's gonna do because of my size," Johnson said. "He's gonna be aggressive, he's gonna rush in not understanding my groundwork is impeccable similar to that of Khabib, and I would probably choke his a** out with a guillotine. That's what's gonna happen. He doesn't have the martial arts background that I do."
Johnson did note that Harrison is "one of the fiercest defensive players of all time," as he is known for his "crazy animal-like training regimens."
James Harrison repping 495 lbs on bench. AGELESS 🤯 (via @jharrison9292) pic.twitter.com/bpAcr5k3Gx
— Overtime (@overtime) July 16, 2021
Even so, Johnson went on to say, "I just owe him an a— whooping. And, just for that, I challenged him to an MMA fight."
To point out, Johnson has tried boxing before, and it didn't end so well, as he got knocked out in the exhibition fight.
Chad Johnson caught one on the chin 😮
(via @ShowtimeBoxing)pic.twitter.com/O6FzJ8tbl4
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 7, 2021
Ultimately this will be a renewed rivalry for Johnson, who played for the Bengals, and Harrison, who played for the Steelers, as they had many matchups vs. each other when they were AFC North inner-division rivals from 2004-2010.
Johnson, from Miami Florida, was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All Pro at wide receiver, racking up 766 receptions for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns in 11 NFL seasons with the Bengals and New England Patriots.
On the other hand, Harrison, from Akron, Ohio, had 84.5 career sacks (69th all-time), and was a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro at outside linebacker, in addition to winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2008) and two Super Bowls (XL and XLIII).
Ocho and James Harrison agree to MMA fight before Super Bowl 😳🍿
Who you got? pic.twitter.com/WupfoYHGgV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 4, 2024
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