Johnny Manziel has spent years facing SEC pass rushers, NFL linebackers, tabloid scrutiny, and countless “what happened to Johnny Football?” questions. However, on May 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, he won’t have anyone else to blame if he gets hit—this time, he’s opted in. The former Texas A&M quarterback is officially stepping into the celebrity fight scene, where he’ll box comedian and social media star Bob Menery in a crossover match.
This marks the first occasion where Manziel won’t have a helmet, playbook, or teammates to rely on. He’ll be alone in the boxing ring, under the bright lights of the UFC Apex, with no escape route if things take a turn for the worse. Despite having zero professional combat sports experience, the 33-year-old Manziel is training hard for the bout. Menery, who is 36, shares a similar lack of boxing experience. The two are driven by rivalry, vibes, and cameras. Manziel seems to be fully embracing the chaos, as a video from FULL SEND MMA shows him appearing enthusiastic after a training session.
“Man, it’s been a long day training for the Menery fight,” Manziel said from Toronto Bay. “I’m going to hit the beach for a bit. I’d fight this guy for free; it’s even better that I’m getting paid. Weight excuses don’t matter because Steve’s not even on his team. What’s going on here, Bob? Let’s see who the real winner is after I kick your ass and outdrink you.”
The situation is complicated by the involvement of Dana White, Adin Ross, and Bob Menery. Brand Risk Promotions, founded by streamer Adin Ross in 2024, aims to turn influencer rivalries and celebrity chaos into actual combat sports events. Their concept is to merge streaming culture with fight sports, and crossover matchups are proving lucrative.
Jake Paul has successfully capitalized on this trend, while former NFL players like Le’Veon Bell have also tried their hand in the ring. Fans are drawn to the narratives, personalities, banter, and the potential for live embarrassment. Manziel embodies these elements perfectly. What’s particularly shocking is how far removed he is from the Heisman-winning player of 2012, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2014 but quickly fell from grace.
A humorous subplot involves Dana White openly doubting whether Menery will actually participate. Their long-standing, quirky friendship and rivalry, filled with roasts and trolling, led White to turn the fight into a public trust issue. “Menery never follows through,” he remarked in a recent interview.
Bob Menery Thinks Johnny Manziel Has an Edge
Week, Menery acknowledged that he’s facing considerable challenges with weight. He revealed that Manziel has him by about 25 pounds, requiring him to eat constantly to bulk up for the fight. “No one knows this,” he shared on Instagram. “It’s frustrating trying to gain weight. Adin Ross and the others are coming in hot this week.”
Although Johnny Manziel is not a professional boxer, he has the experience of being a former pro athlete, which gives him an edge in coordination and competitiveness—qualities that can matter in celebrity fights. With both fighters untrained but eager, the event promises potentially entertaining moments, even if it devolves into chaos. However, if White’s predictions are correct, the fight might not even happen.
