If Ilia Topuria doesn’t want to answer the challenge of Max Holloway, ex-football star Chad Ochocinco is ready to step in.
Of all the highlights that came out of Saturday’s epic UFC 300 card in Las Vegas, none were bigger than Holloway’s insane buzzer-beating knockout of Justin Gaethje to claim the BMF title.
Looking back on the now-viral finish during an episode of his Night Cap podcast with former NFL’er Shannon Sharpe, Ochocinco, whose real name is Chad Johnson, asked his co-host, “If I was to fight Max, when you think he would beat me in the Octagon?”
Without hesitation, Sharpe responded suggesting that it would take Holloway no more than 30 seconds to render Ochocinco unconscious.
Ochocinco thinks he could last multiple rounds with Holloway in an MMA fight 🤣😂😂🤣😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/nimIPQRYRy
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) April 15, 2024
“Max Holloway, if you see this… If you have any time during your break before your next fight, let’s spar,” Ochocinco said. “Let’s get some footage. I just want to show Uncle Sharpe that I ain’t with the bullsh*t. Congratulations, but please.”
When Sharpe tried to bring Ochocinco’s head back down from the clouds, the six-time Pro Bowler doubled down on his challenge to the former featherweight king.
“Man, I’ll thump Max Holloway’s chin,” Ochocinco added. “Don’t be playin’ me like that. I’m out the city. What you talking about? I’m built for that.”
Max Holloway vs. Ilia Topuria All, but Guaranteed Following UFC 300
Aside from being a member of the NFL’s elite 10,000 Yard Club, Chad Ochocinco has tested his striking skills in the boxing ring. He was famously featured on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard in 2021, going the distance with Brian Maxwell in an exhibition bout.
Of course, taking on a 2-3 MMA fighter in boxing is a far cry from throwing hands with one of the pound-for-pound greatest strikers the sport has ever seen.
With Holloway’s big win at the UFC 300, a fight with current 145-pound champ Ilia Topuria appears inevitable — even if ‘El Matador’ isn’t exactly thrilled about it.
Watch Topuria’s reaction to Holloway’s BMF-winning knockout below:
Ilia Topuria on Max Holloway (subtitled)
-He is certain that Max will be next for him
-Says anything can happen When you just exchange punches, but he is smart inside the octagon, thinks Max is basic
-“I did in 9 minutes what he couldn’t in 90 (against Volk)”Vía @espndeportes pic.twitter.com/z9jUSF1p9k
— Carlos Contreras Legaspi 🦁 (@CCLegaspi) April 15, 2024
