Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson Says He'll Fight Former Steelers Star James Harrison in MMA Exhibition

Mar. 15, 2025

Chad Johnson and James Harrison.Photo:Gerardo Mora/Getty; NFL via Getty

Gerardo Mora/Getty; NFL via Getty

FormerNFLstarsChad “Ochocinco" Johnsonand James Harrison announced on social media this week that they will fight one another in an MMA exhibition prior to this season’s Super Bowl in New Orleans.“I’m so excited,” Johnsonwroteon social media upon making the announcement.In a later post on X, the retired NFL wide receiverwrotethat the fight against Harrison will take place in “New Orleans a few days before [the] Super Bowl.”However, there appears to be a disagreement between Johnson and Harrison over how long the fight is supposed to last. Johnson wrote in his initial announcement that their MMA match will last “3 rounds,” while Johnson wrote to him on X saying “it’s 5 rounds.”“I’m gone beat yo ass in round 1 so don’t worry about the other 4,” Johnsonwrotein a response.Johnson, who has fought in one MMA fight before in 2021, appears confident he’ll walk out with a victory over Harrison, who has never fought in an official match.“Won’t be much of a fight when i submit him with a guillotine, he’s gone be aggressive & underestimate my ground work, I have a collection of grappling techniques & strategies where his strength won’t matter, easy win for me,” Johnsonwrotein a post on X on Thursday.But Harrison shot back with his own claim: “You not go be able to stand once I get done with you.”Chad Johnson.Rob Kim/GettyHarrison retired from the NFL after the 2017 season, winning two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of the 2005 and 2008 seasons. Since retiring from football, the former NFL linebacker has taken up acting in recent years, playing the character “Apocalypse” on the Starz drama seriesHEELS, which is about professional wrestlers.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.As for Johnson, the retired wide receiver was named to six Pro Bowl teams throughout his 11-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.James Harrison.Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/GettyJohnson has dabbled in the world of fighting — both scripted and competitive. The retired NFL star was once a guest host for a 2010 episode of WWE’sMonday Night RAW, while he also took on Brian Maxwell in an MMA exhibition during the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Logan Paul pay-per-view event. The bout ended in a draw between Maxwell and Johnson.Beyond Johnson and Harrison’s announcements about the fight, there has been no venue or date officially announced for their proposed matchup. Super Bowl LIX is scheduled to take place Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

FormerNFLstarsChad “Ochocinco" Johnsonand James Harrison announced on social media this week that they will fight one another in an MMA exhibition prior to this season’s Super Bowl in New Orleans.

“I’m so excited,” Johnsonwroteon social media upon making the announcement.

In a later post on X, the retired NFL wide receiverwrotethat the fight against Harrison will take place in “New Orleans a few days before [the] Super Bowl.”

However, there appears to be a disagreement between Johnson and Harrison over how long the fight is supposed to last. Johnson wrote in his initial announcement that their MMA match will last “3 rounds,” while Johnson wrote to him on X saying “it’s 5 rounds.”

“I’m gone beat yo ass in round 1 so don’t worry about the other 4,” Johnsonwrotein a response.

Johnson, who has fought in one MMA fight before in 2021, appears confident he’ll walk out with a victory over Harrison, who has never fought in an official match.

“Won’t be much of a fight when i submit him with a guillotine, he’s gone be aggressive & underestimate my ground work, I have a collection of grappling techniques & strategies where his strength won’t matter, easy win for me,” Johnsonwrotein a post on X on Thursday.

But Harrison shot back with his own claim: “You not go be able to stand once I get done with you.”

Chad Johnson.Rob Kim/Getty

Rob Kim/Getty

Harrison retired from the NFL after the 2017 season, winning two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of the 2005 and 2008 seasons. Since retiring from football, the former NFL linebacker has taken up acting in recent years, playing the character “Apocalypse” on the Starz drama seriesHEELS, which is about professional wrestlers.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As for Johnson, the retired wide receiver was named to six Pro Bowl teams throughout his 11-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

James Harrison.Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty

Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty

Johnson has dabbled in the world of fighting — both scripted and competitive. The retired NFL star was once a guest host for a 2010 episode of WWE’sMonday Night RAW, while he also took on Brian Maxwell in an MMA exhibition during the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Logan Paul pay-per-view event. The bout ended in a draw between Maxwell and Johnson.

Beyond Johnson and Harrison’s announcements about the fight, there has been no venue or date officially announced for their proposed matchup. Super Bowl LIX is scheduled to take place Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

source: people.com