A ‘cage match’ between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg won’t be a joke

days later Elon Musk Challenged Mark Zuckerberg on social media”A cage match“This month, Dana White, president of the Final Combating Championship, acquired a textual content.

It was from Mr. Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief govt. He requested Mr. White, the pinnacle of the world’s premier blended martial arts competitors that fights in cage-like colours, if Mr. Musk was severe in regards to the combat.

Mr. White known as Mr. Musk, who runs Tesla, Twitter and SpaceX, and confirmed that he was able to make the leap. Mr. White then relayed this to Mr. Zuckerberg. In response, Mr. Zuckerberg posted on Instagram: “Ship me the placement,” a reference to his catchphrase. Khabib NurmagomedovOne of many UFC’s most embellished fighters.

Since then, Mr. White mentioned, he has talked to tech billionaires individually each evening to arrange the showdown. On Tuesday, he mentioned, he was “on the telephone with the 2 of them till 12:45 within the morning.” He added, “They each wish to do it.”

In the event you thought a cage combat between two of the world’s richest males was only a far-fetched social media stunt, suppose once more.

Over the previous 10 days, Mr. White mentioned that he, Mr. Musk and Mr. Zuckerberg — with the assistance of advisers — have held talks behind the scenes and are transferring towards a bodily battle. Whereas there isn’t any assure {that a} match will occur, the broad image of an occasion is taking form, Mr. White mentioned, and the views of three individuals with information of the matter.

The combat can be an exhibition match, Mr. White mentioned, and out of doors of official UFC jurisdiction and rights offers, though he’ll assist produce the occasion. Tech leaders have agreed there must be a charitable part, Mr. White and an individual aware of the talks mentioned, with particulars nonetheless being labored out. The popular location is Las Vegas, which requires approval from the Nevada Athletic Fee. On Thursday, Mr. Musk Tweeted This occasion may additionally happen within the Roman Colosseum.

Mr. Zuckerberg’s pals and advisers have typically supported the match, two individuals near him mentioned, although others mentioned the combat can be a distraction and never one of the best use of his time. An individual near Mr. Musk mentioned that whereas he hated sports activities and apparently didn’t have the self-discipline to coach often, nobody may rule something out with him.

If the matchup between Mr. Musk, 52, and Mr. Zuckerberg, 39, goes forward, will probably be a uncommon sight, even within the braggadocio-filled universe of the tech trade. Whereas Steve Jobs and Invoice Gates have been at odds with one another, the tech world was nearer to actual sporting enemies earlier than. Among the billion ships Like Oracle’s Larry Ellison and SAP’s Hasso Plattner.

However two wildly rich tech titans combating, punching and kicking in Las Vegas or a Roman enviornment? Nobody would have dreamed it.

Meta declined to remark. Mr. Musk didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Mr. Zuckerberg and Mr. Musk have had a long-standing rivalry, between rivals and outspoken enemies. The 2 have criticized one another through the years, together with over Mr. Musk’s SpaceX rocket. Data privacy scandals On Meta and extra. Lately, Mr. Zuckerberg despatched a crew to construct on Meta Mr. Musk’s Twitter competitorCode named Challenge 92.

In the event that they take their rivalry past these mountains, the UFC’s Mr. White mentioned he worries in regards to the bodily hole between billionaires. Along with their 13-year age distinction, Mr. Musk is at the least 70 kilos heavier than Mr. Zuckerberg. In official blended martial arts bouts, athletes often match weights.

“We have got two guys who’ve by no means fought professionally, they usually’re in two utterly totally different weight lessons,” Mr White mentioned. Nonetheless, he mentioned, “Will probably be the largest combat within the historical past of fight sports activities.”

Mr. Zuckerberg is especially aware of the UFC world. Over the previous 18 months, he has launched into a private journey more and more And dove deep into Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a grueling martial artwork wherein rivals attempt to submit their opponent and which is utilized in UFC fights.

Mr. Zuckerberg started coaching in 2021 totally on a lark in his storage, the place he constructed what he known as a “mini academy” with a circle of pals who stayed with him. He has mentioned that he appreciates that Brazilian jiu-jitsu requires “100% focus” and strategic considering to defeat an opponent, moderately than power.

Mr. Zuckerberg has enlisted martial arts consultants, together with Dave Camarillo, James Terry and Khai Wu. in Could, He competed in his first public martial arts tournament in Redwood Metropolis, Calif., which he attended in secret — till he took off his hat and sun shades to combat. He gained gold and silver medals within the problem.

Final yr, Metta additionally introduced that it had partnered with the UFC to convey blended martial arts fights to Horizon Worlds, its digital actuality app.

Mr White mentioned Mr Zuckerberg was actually devoted to sports activities.

“I have been speaking to Zuckerberg for nearly two years now,” he mentioned. “And there’s by no means a joke or we’re joking and laughing.” He mentioned the Meta Chief Government was “useless severe on a regular basis.”

Mr. Zuckerberg is probably going in combating form. He has been on a rigorous train routine, going for runs and difficult pals and colleagues to beat his time, two individuals near him mentioned. This month, he posted a private document for it Completing the “Murph” challenge, That requires finishing a sequence of pull-ups, push-ups, operating for miles and lots of of squats, all whereas sporting weighted, military-grade physique armor.

“Enjoying video games that mainly require your full consideration, I believe, is basically necessary for my psychological well being and a solution to give attention to every thing I am doing,” he mentioned just lately. The podcast episode

Mr. Musk, then again, is Tweeted That he “nearly by no means” works and as soon as The back was injured who wanted surgical procedure after collaborating in an exhibition with a sumo wrestler. This month, he said He skilled in “judo, kikushin (full contact)” – two Japanese martial arts – and “no-rules road combating”.

“He made it very clear: ‘I am not going to lose any weight,'” Mr. White mentioned of Mr. Musk’s potential matchup. “Are we going to combat or are we not going to combat?” Mr. White mentioned Mr. Musk instructed him.

This week, Lex Friedman, a podcaster, posted pictures of himself coaching judo with Mr. Musk. Mr Friedman, who has additionally skilled in jujitsu with Mr Zuckerberg, didn’t reply to a request for remark.

No less than one particular person does not seem like a wrestling fan: Mae Musk, Mr. Musk’s mom.

“Don’t encourage this match!” She just lately TweetedTogether with two laughing emojis.