Mark Zuckerberg expresses interest in participating in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competition.
Mixed Martial Arts Mania: Zuck and Musk
It's hard to imagine Zuck (Mark Zuckerberg) and The Octagon going hand-in-hand, but there's more to this story than meets the eye. The Meta CEO, known for his geeky demeanor, has a hidden side – a fascination for mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Once upon a time, he even went toe-to-toe with Space Cowboy (Elon Musk) – the Tesla tycoon – over a potential cage fight. But, alas, the combat never took place.
The UFC Dynamic
Zuck discovered his passion for mixed martial arts around 2022 and dove headfirst into the world of professional coaching. Ever since, he's been a regular front-row spectator at UFC events, making headlines when he booked out an entire UFC Apex event for himself in 2022[1].
His fighting prowess was confirmed in May 2023, when he secured gold and silver medals in both the no-gi and gi categories during a local jiu-jitsu tournament[2].
The Musk-Zuck Showdown
The drama began when Space Cowboy fired a jab at Zuck, accusing him of possessing questionable fighting skills. Eager to prove his worth, Zuck took the challenge, announcing his readiness to enter the octagon[3]. Space Cowboy, ever the showman, accepted – ready for a fight "any time, any place, any rules."
Regrettably, the fight never transpired. Zuck alleged that Space Cowboy was evading plans, ultimately withdrawing from the duel in August 2023, citing Space Cowboy's lack of seriousness[2].
Injury and Recovery
Zuck's path to the octagon took a detour when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament during MMA training in late 2023[2]. Despite the setback, he remained hopeful, declaring his intention to fight in the UFC once he recovered[4].
Octagon Obsessed
Zuck's passion for the UFC hasn't waned, even afterhis injury. He's been spotted in the crowd at numerous UFC events, often rooting for his favorite fighters from within the octagon[5].
His first appearance was at UFC Vegas 61, where he attended a private event as the guest of UFC bossman, Dana White. Since then, he's been sighted at events supporting his buddy, Alex Volkanovski, including UFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria, where he was part of Volkanovski's inner circle[5].
The Grand Finale
The UFC community was aflutter when Zuck made an appearance at UFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill, where his excitement was palpable as he witnessed Max Holloway KO Justin Gaethje in the final seconds of the bout[6].
Curious about Zuck's interactions with UFC fighters, on Threads asked if he'd attended one of their live events, to which Zuck simply replied that he had, adding that "this one turned better than the last one."[4]
Some believe that Zuck's bold move into the world of MMA could be an ingenious mind game, designed to unsettle his rivals. Time will tell if he ever steps into the octagon, but one thing's for sure – we're eager to see what happens next.
References:1. Zuck's UFC Spree2. Zuck's Fighting Spirit3. Zuck vs. Musk – The Showdown4. Zuck's Revelations on Threads5. Zuck's Octagon Adventures6. Zuck's Epic UFC Encounter
- Mark Zuckerberg, once engaged in a verbal sparring with Elon Musk, discussing a potential mixed martial arts fight that never transpired.
- In 2022, Zuckerberg, despite his geeky demeanor, discovered a passion for mixed martial arts and began coaching professionally.
- Zuckerberg has been a consistent presence at UFC events, making headlines by booking out an entire UFC Apex event for himself in 2022.
- In May 2023, Zuckerberg showcased his fighting skills by securing gold and silver medals in jiu-jitsu tournaments.
- After tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during MMA training in late 2023, Zuckerberg remains hopeful about competing in the UFC once recovered.
