Former NFL stars Chad Ochocinco Johnson and James Harrison are set to face off in an exhibition MMA bout ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his excitement about the upcoming fight. There’s been some confusion regarding the fight’s duration; Johnson initially mentioned it would be a three-round match, while Harrison later indicated it could extend to five rounds, according to reports from ABC WTAE.
The two former players have been trading playful jabs, with Johnson confidently stating that he plans to finish the fight in the first round, implying that Harrison shouldn’t worry about the later rounds. Johnson has declared that he’s ready to take care of business quickly, asserting that Harrison won’t be able to handle his skills.
In terms of their careers, Johnson played 11 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals, before finishing with the New England Patriots. Harrison, on the other hand, enjoyed a 15-year career, mostly with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he earned two Super Bowl rings and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, as noted by ABC WTAE.
About James Harrison
Harrison’s journey in the NFL was marked by perseverance. Initially, he struggled to secure a permanent spot on the Steelers’ roster, spending time on the practice squad and being released multiple times before finally making the active roster in 2004. His breakthrough season came when he became a starter, contributing significantly to the team’s defense12.
Key Achievements
Pro Bowl Selections: Harrison was selected to the Pro Bowl five times (2007-2011).
Super Bowl Victories: He won two Super Bowls with the Steelers—Super Bowl XL and XLIII.
Defensive Player of the Year: In 2008, he became the first undrafted player to win the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award12.
Sack Leader: Harrison ranks third on the Steelers’ all-time sack list with 80.5 sacks, a record that stood until it was surpassed by T.J. Watt in 202124.
About Chad Ochocinco Johnson
He was a part of Cincinnati Bengals (2001-2010) being Drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft (36th overall).
Receptions: 751
Receiving Yards: 10,783
Touchdowns: 66
Pro Bowl Selections: He was named to the Pro Bowl six times and earned four First-Team All-Pro selections.
In 2006, he recorded a career-high of 1,369 receiving yards.
In 2007, he set a franchise record with 1,440 receiving yards.
In 2011, Johnson was traded to the New England Patriots. He played a role in their Super Bowl XLVI appearance but had a less impactful season compared to his prime years. In August 2008, Johnson legally changed his last name to “Ochocinco,” which translates to “eight five” in Spanish—reflecting his jersey number at the time. This change was emblematic of his larger-than-life persona and marketing savvy.
