Elon Musk has publicly accused Mark Zuckerberg of backing out of their potential mixed martial arts showdown, which had created a lot of excitement at the start of the year.
It was presumed that the historic colosseum in Italy was a potential venue. However, the clash of titans appears to have crumbled over disagreements regarding UFC branding and the rules of engagement and myriad other reasons.
Elon Musk discloses scrapped plans
Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg had, at one point, entertained the notion of a billionaire vs. billionaire MMA fight. This sparked intrigue and speculation across the tech and sports worlds. Rumors swirled that Italy had generously offered the iconic colosseum as the venue for this monumental battle with Dana White promoting the event.
In his recent appearance on JRE, Elon Musk revealed that Mark Zuckerberg eventually opted out of the proposed fight, humorously referring to it as Zuckerberg’s use of the “pull-out method.” While the exact reasons behind Zuckerberg’s decision remain undisclosed, it is evident that the disagreement over branding played a pivotal role in his exit from the venture.
One of the controversial points of negotiation between Musk and Zuckerberg revolved around the rules governing the fight. Zuckerberg reportedly preferred the bout to be conducted under standard UFC rules. However, Musk remained staunch in his insistence that the historical integrity of the colosseum should be preserved.
Musk likened such branding to the logos seen in NASCAR he found incompatible with the historical significance of the colosseum. This clash of priorities further complicated the negotiations. Thus ultimately contributing to the fight’s dissolution.
Musk keeps option for potential future match open
Despite Zuckerberg’s progress in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Musk exuded confidence in his own abilities. He believed he had a physical advantage due to his size. In a playful tone, Musk even mentioned a “patented walrus move,” which would be executed by simply lying on his opponent. He cited his past experience in martial arts competitions during his teenage years as a testament to his readiness for the bout.
The prospect of a high-profile MMA clash between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, set against the backdrop of the historic Colosseum, has dissolved amid disagreements over branding and fight rules. The public spat and Musk’s humorous take on Zuckerberg’s exit have added a touch of intrigue to the world of tech moguls and sports enthusiasts alike.
While the fight may never materialize, Elon Musk still keeps the door open for the fight to happen. “I challenge him to a duel under any circumstances,” Musk boldly called out Zuckerberg on JRE. However, with Zuckerberg concentrating all his attention on Jiu-Jitsu, it is a long shot to see the bout fan’s monikered “Zuck vs Musk”.
Do you think Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg would fight in MMA in the Colosseum? Leave your comment below!
