In a surprising turn of events, what began as a lighthearted exchange of online jabs between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg has now evolved into a duel.
This is what we know about the two tech giants' showdown — and it is not between Meta and Twitter, but between their CEOs and the potential for an MMA-style face-off.
The Whistleblower of the Long Shot
On June 22, Musk took the initiative in issuing the challenge to Zuckerberg when he tweeted, 'I'm up for a cage match if he is lol,' aimed at the Meta CEO. Zuckerberg responded on Instagram Stories, accepting the challenge by responding to the tweet by sharing a screenshot and adding the caption 'Send Me Location,' alluding to a well-known MMA meme inspired by Khabib Nurmagomedov's challenge to Conor McGregor.
Musk seemed to confirm his commitment to the fight, stating that he would participate if it was for real. The exchange quickly went viral, catching the attention of Musk through an article from The Verge. In response, Musk revealed his preferred location for the fight-a Vegas Octagon, renowned for hosting legitimate UFC matchups.
On June 24, during a Twitter talk with Ashlee Vance, author of a book on Musk, the Tesla CEO mentioned that he would begin training if the MMA cage fight with Zuckerberg took shape. Musk emphasized the possibility that the fight could go badly if Zuckerberg took it seriously.
Dana White's Involvement
On the same day, the unexpected scenario drew the interest of UFC President Dana White, who disclosed that he had in-depth conversations with both Musk and Zuckerberg over a phone call, confirming their strong determination to actualize this fight. During an interview with TMZ, White emphasized that both individuals are genuinely committed to the idea, leaving no doubts about their seriousness.
Given the UFC's reputation and experience in hosting such fights, it comes as no surprise that they are considered the potential host for this clash. White confirmed his recent discussions with Musk and Zuckerberg, expressing their determination to make the fight happen. He believes this fight could be the most significant in history, surpassing all previous pay-per-view records and generating substantial funds for charity.
While skeptics have criticized the proposal, Dana White remains unfazed, ensuring everyone will be watching the fight. He clarified that this is not a gimmick fight but a showdown between two of the world's most powerful and richest individuals, making it a unique crossover event.
Despite the excitement surrounding the battle and White's involvement, there are challenges to overcome. White acknowledged the significant size and weight difference between Musk and Zuckerberg, which may hinder commission sanctioning. However, White is determined to overcome these obstacles and believes that Musk and Zuckerberg's seriousness about the fight increases its chances of becoming a reality.
Although there are still hurdles to navigate, the agreement between tech titans and Dana White's support as a promoter indicate that this showdown may indeed take place. As the story unfolds, the world eagerly awaits further updates on the potential clash between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
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