Summary
- In 2022, Mark Zuckerberg became intensely interested in mixed martial arts and began training seriously with professional coaches.
- Since at least 2022, he has been attending UFC events as a front-row guest, garnering attention from fans and media. Reportedly, he even booked an entire UFC Apex event that year.
- In May 2023, Zuckerberg achieved his first victory in a jiu-jitsu tournament, securing a gold medal in the no-gi division and a silver medal in the gi division.
- In June 2023, Elon Musk suggested a "cage fight" with Zuckerberg, issuing the challenge on X (previously known as Twitter).
- Zuckerberg agreed and started making preparations, but he publicly withdrew from the idea in August 2023, stating that Musk was not serious and continued to avoid setting concrete plans.
- In late 2023, while preparing for a potential debut fight, Zuckerberg suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during an MMA sparring session.
- In early 2024, he replied to a fan on Threads, stating that he remained interested in competing in the UFC but needed to wait for his knee to fully heal.
- In February 2024, following knee surgery, Zuckerberg attended UFC 298 as a member of Alexander Volkanovski's inner circle.
- On April 13, 2024, Zuckerberg attended UFC 300, where Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje in the final seconds of the fight, sparking a viral reaction from the Meta CEO.
Mark Zuckerberg and the UFC might not seem like an obvious combination. As the CEO and founder of Meta, Zuckerberg's thin and unassuming appearance doesn't immediately suggest physical prowess. However, his interest in mixed martial arts has been thoroughly documented over time. Surprisingly, Zuckerberg is more physically adept than one might assume, and his enthusiasm for the Ultimate Fighting Championship runs deeper than a passing interest. At one point, he was even willing to take on a challenge from fellow billionaire Elon Musk. Musk playfully mocked Zuckerberg's fighting skills and proposed a cage match between them. Zuckerberg had recently shared on social media that he had been training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with several well-known fighters. In response, the Tesla CEO raised the bar by challenging Zuckerberg, saying he would fight him
Is Mark Zuckerberg going to fight in the UFC?
Mark Zuckerberg was on the verge of pursuing an MMA career, but an unfortunate knee injury delayed his plans. Despite appearances, Zuckerberg is more athletic than many might assume, primarily due to his passion for combat sports and a systematic training routine. An amateur jiu-jitsu practitioner, Zuckerberg has participated in several tournaments, gradually developing both the mental resilience and physical strength necessary for such confrontations. He bolstered his fighting credentials at a local BJJ tournament in Redwood City, California, competing under the Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu team, led by coach Dave Camarillo, where he earned a gold and a silver medal in the gi and no-gi categories. These achievements position him well if he chooses to enter a UFC fight. However, the rules of the Ultimate Fighting Championship are significantly more intense compared to the relatively restrained nature of jiu-jitsu. Nevertheless, Zuckerberg is in good company, having been seen alongside UFC legends Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanovski. The UFC is a contemporary gladiator sport with few restrictions on how an opponent can be subdued, a position only suitable for those who have undergone extensive preparation. Even so, the motivation required for such a battle, like those in the octagon (the UFC's iconic ring), is rare. In 2024, Zuckerberg responded to a Threads user named @probity, expressing his desire to fight once his knee had healed. The injury he mentioned was not the result of a UFC bout but occurred during a 2023 sparring session when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, requiring surgery. He was initially scheduled to have an early professional MMA fight in 2024 but had to postpone it. As of 2025, Zuckerberg is still recovering and has yet to announce any fight dates.
Mark Zuckerberg at the UFC Already
Despite not being a fighter, Mark Zuckerberg has made his presence felt at UFC events, sometimes attending incognito and other times openly supporting fighters right in the octagon with the support crew. His enthusiasm for the UFC became evident in 2022 when he attended UFC Vegas 61, also known as UFC Fight: Dern vs. Yan. This exclusive event, closed to the public and media, fueled speculation that Zuckerberg had booked the entire venue for himself. Dana White, the UFC president, refuted these rumors, stating that Zuckerberg was simply his guest. This marked the first time the public realized Zuckerberg’s keen interest in mixed martial arts, a passion he often shares with his wife, Priscilla Chan. On another occasion, Zuckerberg appeared at UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria, donning Volkanovski’s team tracksuit and clearly being part of his inner circle that evening—he even accompanied Volkanovski during the walkout. This was shortly after Zuckerberg's knee surgery. Unfortunately, despite Zuckerberg’s support, Volkanovski was knocked out by Topuria in the second round. Nonetheless, Zuckerberg was there to experience the action firsthand. Fast forward to April 13, 2024, when Zuckerberg attended UFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill. During this event, the fight between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje captured everyone's attention. The bout was intense, but Holloway delivered a knockout in the final seconds, thrilling the audience. Cameras caught Zuckerberg’s wide-eyed, mouth-agape reaction, which was praised by UFC fans and widely reported in the media. In March 2025, Zuckerberg attended UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev. Sharing his experience on Instagram, he expressed his enjoyment of witnessing some of his favorite fighters. UFC 313 was notable for Gaethje's attendance, who not only participated but also won his fight. In a backstage encounter, Gaethje warmly embraced Zuckerberg and inquired about his attendance at previous events. Zuckerberg confirmed that he had attended, adding with a smile,
So, what’s up with Zuckerberg fighting Elon Musk?
Although this is now in the past, a brief recap might still be informative. Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk have long been business rivals. While Musk has primarily focused on scientific innovations, such as launching rockets into space and revolutionizing the automotive industry, their competitive tensions have extended into the realm of social media. On June 5, 2023, Zuckerberg introduced Threads as a challenger to X (formerly Twitter). In response, Musk, known for his colorful online presence, suggested on June 21 that he would be open to a cage fight if Zuckerberg was willing. Zuckerberg, invoking the legacy of UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, replied with the iconic phrase:
Mark Zuckerberg, the UFC, and Meta’s Partnership
In addition to Mark Zuckerberg’s interest in combat sports and his consideration of stepping into the octagon himself, his company, Meta, has strengthened its relationship with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on numerous occasions. In 2022, Meta and the UFC announced a collaboration to bring MMA events to Meta's newly launched virtual reality platform. Over time, their partnership deepened, with Meta becoming the UFC's first Official Fan Technology Partner, tasked with enhancing fan experiences and boosting engagement and retention. This partnership includes on-site activations and Meta’s branding at live UFC events and across digital channels. Furthermore, on January 6, 2025, Dana White was appointed as a Non-executive Director on Meta's Board of Directors. Many critics viewed this move as Zuckerberg's attempt to align with the Trump administration through a mutual associate.
Zuckerberg in the UFC: A Fight Waiting to Happen
Mark Zuckerberg has shown himself to be a dedicated MMA enthusiast, frequently attending UFC events and undergoing formal training for a potential debut fight. This indicates his genuine interest in trying his hand at the sport. However, at 40 years old, despite his youthful energy, he faces inherent risks associated with participating in combat sports at this age. On the other hand, Zuckerberg does not seem intent on engaging in a full-fledged fight with a professional fighter. Instead, he likely values the recognition that comes from stepping into the octagon and relishes the thrill and excitement of competition. In summary, it's likely that Zuckerberg will eventually participate in a UFC fight. Even if that doesn't happen, he has other combat-related ambitions to pursue. He is already involved in jiu-jitsu competitions and has hinted at future MMA events. Regardless of whether we see him in the octagon, there's no indication that he plans to slow down his engagement with combat sports anytime soon.
Mark Zuckerberg UFC FAQs
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