Johnny Manziel made his amateur MMA debut Saturday at Brand Risk 14, making quick work of social media influencer Bob Menery in a 205-pound bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the opening minute, a lackadaisical Menery ran directly into a takedown. Manziel, a former NFL quarterback and the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner easily secured the mount, raining down elbows and punches until the bout was stopped at 2:15 of Round 1.
“Respected you for getting in here. Much love, brother,” Manziel said after being awarded an honorary “W U” belt for his victory.
Both men immediately indicated they have no intentions of fighting again, with Menery adding, “Not after that display,” when asked about a second fight.
The influencer-driven spectacle — pivoted from Miami to Vegas after promoter Adin Ross secured the blessing of UFC CEO Dana White — drew an exclusive crowd including music icon Chris Brown, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.
White previously helped generate buzz by publicly doubting the fight would even happen, stating he placed a $10,000 bet that the notoriously unpredictable Menery would no-show.
Saturday’s 11-fight card — with an MMA main card after a boxing prelim card — was the first Brand Risk event held outside Miami or Nashville since its inception.
