Manziel vs – Johnny Manziel makes his MMA debut Saturday, May 23, stepping into the cage at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas against influencer Bob Menery. With the fight promoted by Adin Ross and Dana White publicly betting $10,000 Menery wouldn’t show, fans get a free live stre
When Johnny Manziel walks into the cage at the UFC Apex on Saturday, May 23, the moment isn’t just about a former NFL star trying something new. It’s also about a matchup built on mismatched celebrity and a late-stage promise that someone might not even arrive.
Manziel. the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner. is making his MMA debut in an amateur fight against Bob Menery. a sportscaster and influencer with 2.8 million followers on Instagram. Dana White. CEO of the UFC. inserted himself into the spectacle by saying he’d bet $10. 000 that Menery wouldn’t show up—and Menery did arrive. leaving only one question: what happens inside the cage.
Menery, 38, is reportedly no taller than 5-9 and weighs in at about 190 pounds. Manziel is 33, stands 6-0, and reportedly tipped the scales at about 205 pounds. At the weigh-in. Menery didn’t instill fear. and his fame has largely come from comedic videos and past sports work. including calling a game for the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles of the Indoor Football League.
White’s involvement has helped turn the event into a must-watch digital moment as well. The fight is being promoted by influencer Adin Ross, and it will be held at the Apex Center in Las Vegas.
Manziel vs. Menery is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, with the main card starting at 11 p.m. ET. The live stream is free on Brand Risk 14 channels on YouTube and Kick.
The bout will follow amateur MMA rules, including 6 oz gloves. Elbows and knees to the head are considered illegal, and the fight is set for three rounds.
On the card, former NBA players Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson are set to fight in an MMA bout on the undercard. Beasley, 37, is 6-9; Stephenson, 35, is 6-5.
The full fight card for Saturday, May 23, at the UFC Apex includes:
Main card
Johnny Manziel vs Bob Menery (Main Event)
Ray J vs Supa Hot Fire (Co-Main Event)
Michael Beasley vs Lance Stephenson
No Neck Jay vs Shane Chance
Flyy Soulja vs Jeremy Smith
Dom The Troll vs Tommy Tough Knuckles
Prelims
Antonio Williams vs Haskell Rhodes Jr
Gabe Silva vs Malcolm Peck
AP The Fighter vs Ethan Stern
Andrew Garcia vs Deshawn Prather
Britton Norwood vs Alvin Varmall Jr
The stakes for Manziel are straightforward but unforgiving: stepping into an amateur MMA fight is one thing. doing it with the public spotlight sharpened by White’s $10. 000 challenge and the question of whether Menery would even show up is another. For Menery. the appeal is different—calling it the fight he will be in rather than the one he’s been promoted to watch.
Whatever happens on Saturday, the night is shaped by arrivals, matchups, and a rare blend of mainstream sports history and internet-era hype at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Johnny Manziel MMA debut Bob Menery UFC Apex Dana White Adin Ross Brand Risk YouTube Kick Michael Beasley Lance Stephenson
Wait free stream on YouTube or is it one of those fake free ones?
Dana White betting 10k that Menery wouldn’t show is kinda wild lol. Also Menery better not just be another influencer cosplay fighter.
I’m confused though… Manziel already fought MMA before right? Like I swear I seen him sparring somewhere. Maybe this is like a charity thing? Either way if Menery didn’t show, Dana would look dumb but he talks a lot anyway.
Why is this even a thing, Menziel should be focusing on football or something. The headline makes it sound serious but it’s amateur rules and 6 oz gloves, so it’s basically vibes?? I don’t trust any fight promoted by Adin Ross either, feels like pure clout.