Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby became the center of online discussion after sharing an old video from 2023 on his Instagram stories, showing him sparring with MMA fighter Sean Strickland. The clip quickly went viral, accumulating over 1.1 million views on X by Saturday, igniting debate among NFL fans about Crosby’s toughness and off-field activities.
Fan Reactions Highlight Controversy Over Crosby’s MMA Training
Following the resurgence of the sparring video, viewers flooded comment sections with a mix of criticism and disbelief. One user remarked,
“That dude crosby is asssssss. Fake tough guy.”
Another added,
“I’m honestly surprised he was allowed to do this. No way Raiders were happy with him.”
Additional remarks ranged from questioning Crosby’s decision to engage with an MMA fighter to mocking his physical readiness on the field.
“That dude crosby is asssssss. Fake tough guy,” one fan commented.
“That dam Max hell,” another fan said.
“I’m honestly surprised he was allowed to do this. No way Raiders were happy with him,” this fan wrote.
“Crosby is like birdman. Covers himself in tattos cause he ain’t that guy,” another fan said.
“My brother in Christ what are you doing fighting an MMA fighter,” one fan questioned.
“Crosby does everything but get strong enough to actually beat double teams,” this fan said.
“I don’t have enough CTE, let me get a little extra,” another fan said.
Recent Performance and Trade Speculation Surrounding Crosby
Maxx Crosby recently completed his seventh NFL season with the Raiders but was sidelined for the final two games of the 2025 season due to injury. Reports suggest that Crosby was displeased with being benched, which fueled speculation about his future with the team. Rumors surfaced that the Raiders were seeking two first-round draft picks and an additional player in exchange for the defensive end.
New Raiders Head Coach Expresses Support for Crosby
Following the Raiders’ disappointing 2025 campaign that ended with a last-place finish in the AFC West and the firing of Pete Carroll, Klint Kubiak took over as head coach. During a recent discussion about the team’s roster, Kubiak made it clear that he values Crosby highly and intends to keep him with the Raiders.
“It’s a guy that we really want on our team,” Kubiak said. “It’s as simple as that. We want Maxx to be a Raider, and the few intercations that I’ve had with him have been very positive. Really excited about working with Maxx this year.”
Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, demonstrating his impactful presence despite the team’s overall struggles.
Implications for Raiders and Upcoming Season Outlook
The attention surrounding Maxx Crosby, from sparring videos to trade rumors, underscores the complex dynamics within the Raiders organization as they aim to rebuild. Crosby’s relationship with the new coaching staff appears positive, which may influence decisions regarding his tenure with the team. How the Raiders manage his situation could significantly affect their defensive strength and strategy going forward, especially as they prepare for the 2025-26 NFL season.
When Sean Strickland was throwing bombs against 6’5 255 lb NFL defensive lineman Maxx Crosby 😳 pic.twitter.com/LTyInYsgjZ
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) February 28, 2026
Klint Kubiak on Maxx Crosby:
“It’s as simple as that. We want Maxx to be a Raider.” 🏴☠️ #RaiderNation #Raiders pic.twitter.com/w1jt31JjmA
— Taylor Rocha (@TaylorRochaTV) February 25, 2026
