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

The retired NFL stars announced loose plans for an MMA exhibition sometime in early February 2025 in New Orleans

<p>Gerardo Mora/Getty; NFL via Getty</p> Chad Johnson and James Harrison

Gerardo Mora/Getty; NFL via Getty

Chad Johnson and James Harrison

Former NFL stars Chad “Ochocinco" Johnson and 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,” Johnson wrote on social media upon making the announcement.

In a later post on X, the retired NFL wide receiver wrote that 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,” Johnson wrote in 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,” Johnson wrote in 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.”

Related: Who Is Chad 'Ocho Cinco' Johnson's Fiancée? All About Sharelle Rosado

<p>Rob Kim/Getty</p> Chad Johnson

Rob Kim/Getty

Chad Johnson

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 series HEELS, which is about professional wrestlers.

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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.

Related: Chad 'Ocho Cinco' Johnson Surprised Sharelle Rosado with a Whopping 7.5 Carat Engagement Ring: Photos

<p>Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty</p> James Harrison

Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty

James Harrison

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’s Monday 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.

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