Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby just dropped a bombshell. In an interview with CBS Sports HQ, the Pro Bowl pass rusher claimed that UFC President Dana White and Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell are “fully convinced” he’ll be the UFC heavyweight champion by 2030.
Raiders Maxx Crosby on fighting within the UFC “Hunter and Dana White are fully convinced by the 12 months 2030 im going to be the UFC heavyweight champion”
“If it is smart, if it’s in my heart. It would just occur, I really like fighting. I actually have the mentality, athleticism, power, speed” 🦅 pic.twitter.com/wjpzqlfgvJ
— ShifftttyyyQB1🏴☠️ (@raiders1022) February 7, 2026
“Hunter Campbell and Dana, they’re fully convinced that by the 12 months 2030 or 2031, I’m gonna be the heavyweight champion,” Crosby said. “I’m that form of person where I’m never gonna put a limit on what I do. You reside one life, and I definitely have certain things I would like to perform.”
When pressed on whether it could actually occur, Crosby left the door wide open.
“If it is smart on the time and it’s in my heart and my soul that I would like to go on the market and compete, it’d just occur. I really like fighting. I feel like I’ve got the proper mentality, the athleticism, the ability and speed. It’s nearly putting that each one together and being fully in.”
This is not idle talk from a star fan sitting cageside. Crosby is deeply embedded within the UFC scene, often attending events and constructing real relationships with White and his team. More importantly, the person has traded leather with a champion — going three hard rounds sparring Sean Strickland in 2023, walking away with a busted nose and a hearth that clearly hasn’t gone out.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 255 kilos, Crosby matches squarely inside the heavyweight limit of 265. His NFL resume is undeniable — a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time Second Team All-Pro who posted 10 sacks in 15 games this past season.
Dana White says NFL player Max Crosby has the potential to win a UFC HW title.
Here’s a clip of him sparring former champ Sean Strickland pic.twitter.com/YIqjWIssQV
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) February 8, 2026
The NFL-to-MMA pipeline has produced legitimate fighters before. Brock Lesnar captured the UFC heavyweight title, while undefeated Josh Hokit parlayed NFL time into an 8-0 record with two UFC knockouts. The difference? Lesnar had elite NCAA wrestling credentials. Crosby has no formal combat sports background, making the climb considerably steeper.
Along with his Raiders contract running through 2029 and trade rumors swirling, the timeline adds up. If Crosby walks away from football and commits fully to MMA, White’s daring prediction will not be as wild because it sounds. Within the heavyweight division, elite athleticism and raw power close the skill gap fast. If Maxx Crosby ever steps into the Octagon, the sports world will likely be watching.