Content creator Bob Menery believes Johnny Manziel used illegal tactics en route to a viral TKO victory in the Brand Risk MMA ring.
10 years after his National Football League career came to an abrupt end, former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel earned his first victory in a new sport: Mixed Martial Arts.
Manziel was victorious in his MMA debut last Saturday at the UFC Apex, defeating content creator Bob Menery by first-round TKO. The 33-year-old Manziel showed off an impressive skill set with body kicks and sharp technique to stop Menery in their highly anticipated grudge match.
Manziel and Menery appeared to put their recent feud aside after their MMA clash in Las Vegas. With UFC CEO Dana White sitting ringside, Manziel left the ring with his hand raised before promising to never fight again.
But Menery feels Manziel’s finish came after questionable decisions from the referee, including what Menery alleges as illegal tactics.
Bob Menery complains about controversial stoppage in Johnny Manziel fight
In a recent Instagram post, Menery broke his social media silence after the knockout loss to Manziel.
Johnny Manziel just stopped Bob Menery in the first round of their MMA fight
Dana White couldn’t stop laughing 💀 pic.twitter.com/9x98EqYsY1
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 24, 2026
“I wanted to just say a couple things – first and foremost, I lost 10-8 that round…I’m getting hit in the face on the ground, talking to the ref telling him ‘Don’t stop the fight!’. He stops the fight with 33 seconds left during an MMA main event?” Menery said of the Manziel fight.
“Johnny, by the way, which is illegal, you’re not supposed to throw elbows. Johnny hit me with an elbow that stunne dme that I had to eat. That’s illegal. We should’ve been stood back up. I’m not complaining. Johnny beat the s*** out of me for one round, and they stopped it.
“I was unconscious, I was alive, and I was okay. But I do think I’m a little concussed, I ate some f****** blows.”
Manziel vs. Menery headlined the first event under streamer Adin Ross’ Brand Risk MMA promotion. In the co-main event, former NBA star Lance Stephenson defeated Michael Beasley by submission.
How would Johnny Manziel do as a professional MMA fighter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!