While the much-anticipated octagon clash between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk never materialized, there`s still a possibility of seeing Zuckerberg involved with the UFC, albeit in a different capacity.
The UFC is launching a new venture, UFC BJJ 1, marking its official entry into competitive grappling. Unlike previous Fight Pass Invitational events, UFC BJJ 1 aims to establish champions across three weight divisions (bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight) as part of a significant push to dominate the grappling scene, similar to its impact on MMA.
UFC CEO Dana White discussed the goals with TMZ Sports, stating the aim is to facilitate the most significant grappling matches possible. He also sees the initiative as a way to educate the public about jiu-jitsu, introduce its key figures, and bring organization to the sport.
White noted the existing landscape of numerous global tournaments, many with significant financial stakes. He explained the UFC`s approach:
“We`re gonna come in and say, `You can be considered one of the best in the world, but you can come fight the best at the UFC and win a world title. You`ll be a world champion, everybody will be ranked, and put some structure to it.`”
Beyond professional grapplers, White envisions UFC BJJ as a platform for high-profile matches involving participants who aren`t necessarily elite competitors. He mentioned a surprising number of actors and athletes involved in jiu-jitsu, citing Mark Zuckerberg, Mario Lopez, and Tom Hardy as examples who have competed in tournaments.
White suggested, “This is a spot, anybody could come and compete here in jiu-jitsu.”
White famously tried to arrange an MMA fight between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk during their public dispute, a plan that never materialized beyond merchandise. However, White subsequently joined the board of Zuckerberg`s company, Meta. This connection means they frequently discuss combat sports, leading White to express a strong desire to see the Meta founder compete in the UFC`s grappling format.
White confirmed, “Yeah, we talk a lot about fighting, obviously,” adding, “If Mark keeps training and competing, he could literally come here and fight in UFC BJJ. 100 percent.” He again mentioned Tom Hardy, Mario Lopez, and other skilled but less known actor-grapplers.The concept of Zuckerberg facing Musk in MMA was arguably ill-conceived, but a grappling match presents a far more logical and potentially impactful scenario. Securing such a high-profile contest could significantly boost the visibility and credibility of the new UFC BJJ initiative. It`s a reflection of the current intersection of technology, celebrity, and combat sports.
Marcus Blakely