Former Pro Bowl WR Chad Johnson believes he can out-strike UFC star

“Max Holloway, if you see this, if you have any time during your break until your next fight, please let’s spar,” Johnson said. “Let’s get some footage, I just want to show Uncle Sharpe that I ain’t with the [expletive]. … He’s the best of the best, I know … I’ll thump Max Holloway’s chin. Don’t play with me like that. I’m built for that.”

Sharpe told Johnson he wouldn’t last 30 seconds inside the Octagon with Holloway, to which Johnson took offense. The 46-year-old former six-time Pro Bowler claims he was a state wrestling champion at 182 pounds and that he’s confident his hands are on par with or better than Holloway’s.

Holloway saw Johnson's challenge and seemingly took him up on the offer if he's ever in his home state of Hawaii.

Johnson has one exhibition boxing match on his resume: a four-round bout against Brian Maxwell back in 2021 on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather versus Logan Paul exhibition match.

Conversely, Holloway (26-7) is one of the more dangerous strikers in the UFC. Twelve of his 26 wins have come by knockout or TKO, including his last two wins — both of which came in Fight of the Night performances, and he holds notable knockout wins over Gaethje, Anthony Pettis, Jose Aldo (twice), Brian Ortega and Chan-Sung Jung.

Holloway is also just the second fighter ever to finish Gaethje via punches.