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Chad Johnson and James Harrison were more than able to hold their own on the gridiron during their time in the NFL, but Ochocinco may have made a major unforced error by agreeing to face off against the retired linebacker in an upcoming MMA fight.
NFL players are known for their physicality and athleticism, so it’s only natural that a number of guys who spent time in the league (including Austen Lane, Greg Hardy, and Matt Mitrion) decided to turn their attention to MMA after moving on from football.
You might think it’s a bit too late for Chad Johnson to turn his attention to that particular realm when you consider the wide receiver who played his last NFL snap in 2011 is just a few weeks away from his 47th birthday, but it would appear he’s decided there’s no better time to try something new.
On Wednesday, Johnson announced he’ll be stepping into the cage for an exhibition bout in New Orleans when the Super Bowl heads to The Big Easy in February for a showdown with another former NFL star who would appear to have a very decisive edge on paper: James Harrison.
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
Ochocinco was listed as 6’1″ and 188 pounds during his time in the NFL, so while he has an inch on Harrison, the man best known for routinely sending opponents into the shadow realm while playing LB for the Steelers tipped the scales at 242 lbs. thanks to the massive amount of muscle he managed to pack onto his frame.
Harrison will be 46 years old when the fight gets underway (he clarified it’s scheduled for five rounds as opposed to three), but he has not taken his foot off the gas pedal since retiring in 2018 based on the steady stream of workout videos he posts online.
Johnson is also putting in some work in the gym, but he definitely is going to have his work cut out for him.