Chad Johnson is looking to step inside the Octagon with former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya.
“Ochocinco” has had his hand in many projects since retiring from the NFL. He even competed in an exhibition boxing match against Brian Maxwell back in 2021. Fast forward to 2026, and Johnson wants to find a way to compete under the UFC banner against a future Hall of Famer.
Partaking in the UFC 327 weigh-in show on Friday, “Ochocinco” asked Daniel Cormier to suggest an opponent for him. Cormier jokingly said Adesanya’s name, but Johnson appears to actually want the smoke (h/t MMAFighting).
“I like that! … Izzy, Adesanya, I don’t want any excuses,” Johnson said. “Come get this belt. Come get this belt. Me and you, five minutes, three rounds. Anywhere. Matter of fact, I’ll come to New Zealand. I don’t have a passport. Nevermind. Come to Miami.”
At the very least, Johnson is confident that he would be able to last against Adesanya on the feet. If things hit the mat, that’s where the former All-Pro receiver believes he might drown.
“I would really like the matchup with Adesanya, though,” Johnson said. “I’m serious. To be able to get the best out of me and what I can do, even though it’s not my sport. But I’m good enough to survive and be able to strike. Ground game, eh, shaky.”
While the UFC brass has entertained sideshow fights with names, such as James Toney and CM Punk, the promotion’s CEO Dana White insists those days are over. Johnson might be forced to get inside the cage for another promotion if the 48-year-old expects to compete in MMA.
Do you think Chad Johnson will eventually have an MMA fight? How do you think he’d fare based on his 2021 exhibition boxing match? Sound off in the comments below.