UFC
UFC NEWS: NFL's Chad Ochocinco wants to fight UFC Champ Anderson SIlva
Mar 7, 2011 - 12:25:36 PM UFC NEWS: NFL's Chad Ochocinco wants to fight UFC Champ Anderson SIlva

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

With the National Football League looming ever closer to a lockout, some of the league's players will be looking for something to do with their time. For star wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, if he had his choice, he'd take an MMA fight with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

"I'll whip his ass," Ochocinco said at ESPN the Weekend in Orlando, Fla. this past week. "I'm not going to the ground. I know if I'm going to fight Anderson, I have to fight him standing up. I'm quicker than him. I know he's good at what he does, but let's not be fooled. I'm one of the elite athletes in the NFL. I'm very fast."

For the charismatic and polarizing Ochocinco, he says if he can keep the fight standing and avoid the ground then he'd be alright.

"I just can't go to the ground," he said. "Maybe I can just run around the ring the whole damn time."

If he had an opportunity to fight, he's already got his nickname set as well.

"Wildman," he said. "I just create my own style. I'm crazy enough to get in there."

Penick's Analysis: Well, I don't think he's fully serious, but even if he is I don't think it's something we'd have to worry about actually seeing. Despite being a world class athlete, he's not a combat sports vet, and attempting to cross into MMA wouldn't be the most advisable thing. Still, the sport has had its fair share of freak show fights, and the NFL crossover could entice the UFC to give it a slight thought. I'd hope it wouldn't go further than that, but it's one of those things where you could probably never say never.