“Ride bench for $2 million instead of 24k” – UFC fans in shock as NBA star James Johnson’s graphic reveals MMA and kickboxing record

NBA player James Johnson, nicknamed 'Bloodsport' boasts an undefeated MMA and kickboxing record. The record showcased his dual prowess in combat sports and professional basketball.

“Ride bench for $2 million instead of 24k” – UFC fans in shock as NBA star James Johnson’s graphic reveals MMA and kickboxing record

James Johnson of the Indiana Pacers (Image via: X)

Indiana Pacers Power Forward James Johnson recently claimed he could defeat Jon Jones in an MMA fight. Johnson did say that it would require him to utilize a year for grappling training. The 6 foot 7 inch Johnson is a benchwarmer for the Pacers and has an impressive combat sports record.

Indiana Pacers recently defeated Milwaukee Bucks courtesy of an impressive performance from Tyrese Haliburton. However, the statistic of a benchwarmer surprised many. During the game, a stat box showed up below the picture of James Johnson. The stat box showed Johnson’s record in MMA and Kickboxing. In MMA, Johnson is 20-0, whereas he is 7-0 in Kickboxing.

YouTube video

Johnson’s nickname is ‘Bloodsport,’ like the iconic movie by Jean-Claude Van Damme. Johnson made his combat sports debut when he was just 18 years old. He is now in his 14th season in the NBA. Chicago Bulls drafted Johnson as the 16th pick in the first round of the 2009 draft.

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The NBA is more established than the UFC. Therefore, the NBA superstars have big salaries when compared to the UFC. However, players compete in the NBA almost every two or three days, whereas the fighters in major MMA promotions fight thrice a year at most.

Related: 36-Year-Old and unbeaten in MMA! NBA players regard James Johnson as the most feared athelete in the league

UFC fans respond to impressive combat sports record of NBA star James Johnson

UFC fans blasted James Johnson when he claimed he could defeat Jon Jones with a dedicated year of grappling training. However, the revelation of his fight record has some have a change of heart.

James Johnson fight record
James Johnson’s fight record (Image via: X)

Johnson’s undefeated fight record in MMA and kickboxing impressed the UFC fans. Some found it to be very impressive. However, others found that the record might be full of weaker opposition. Nevertheless, the overwhelming sentiment was that Johnson gets paid exponentially more as a benchwarmer in the NBA than a fighter in the UFC. Nonetheless, see how UFC fans responded to the video.

https://twitter.com/TheCerealGawd/status/1743187286626345138

Nevertheless, Johnson’s belief that he could defeat Jon Jones is far-fetched. If not for the DQ loss, Jones is undefeated in professional MMA. Moreover, Jones is the arguable GOAT of MMA. Even elite fighters like Daniel Cormier and Ciryl Gane could not defeat the current UFC heavyweight champion. The former NFL player Greg Hardy tried his hand in UFC and was a bust.

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