Johnny Manziel is entering the boxing ring.
The ex-Browns quarterback is set to fight social media star Bob Menery in a bout that will air May 23 across YouTube, X, Twitch, Kick and TikTok, Brand Risk Promotions announced Wednesday.
Dana White will host the event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, with the UFC CEO previously saying he would bet $10,000 on Menery no-showing the fight.
“Menery hits me up and says, ‘Who are you betting on?’ I said, ‘I’m betting on you don’t even show up, that’s my bet,’” White said on Instagram in April. “Menery never does anything he says he’s going to do,” White added. “… There’s no way 49 percent of people believe in Bob Menery and that he’s going to show up.”
Menery, 38, is known for making comedic voiceovers on social media and has previously hosted a podcast with the Nelk Boys, who have collaborated with White multiple times throughout the years.
The fight marks a new endeavor for Manziel, who quickly rose to fame while winning the 2012 Heisman Trophy at Texas A&M before being drafted by the Browns in 2014.
Manziel spent just two seasons in the NFL before flaming out due to scandals and partying habits; he later had a stint in the Canadian Football League in 2018.
During a 2023 documentary on Netflix, Manziel opened up about his mental health battles and revealed he watched “zero” film while in the NFL.
Manziel recently made headlines for serving as a mentor to fiery QB and 2026 Heisman finalist Diego Pavia, giving him advice ahead of this year’s draft.
“He’s giving me what to look out for, what it’s like, how to stay in the process,” Pavia said of Manziel at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. “And, you know, he’s given me some good advice, for sure. And he always reaches out, too, checks up on me, makes sure I’m good, and he just, like, he’s just a friend to me, you know?
“And so he’s giving me some mentorship. He’s been around me, he’s been around my family. He’s just a great person for those that really don’t know him.”
Pavia, 24, ultimately went undrafted, but wound up singing a deal with the Raves following the draft, and accepted an invitation to Baltimore’s rookie minicamp.
