While the much-hyped octagon clash between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk never came to fruition, there`s still a possibility of seeing Zuckerberg involved with the UFC, albeit in a different capacity.
This Wednesday marks a new chapter for the UFC with the debut of UFC BJJ 1, the promotion`s first dedicated venture into competitive grappling. Unlike previous Fight Pass Invitationals, UFC BJJ 1 will feature champions crowned in three weight classes (bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight), signaling a significant effort by the UFC to dominate the grappling scene, similar to its impact on mixed martial arts.
UFC CEO Dana White shared his goals with TMZ Sports, stating the aim is to create the most significant grappling matches possible and to educate the public about jiu-jitsu, highlight its practitioners, and bring structure to the sport. He acknowledged the existence of numerous jiu-jitsu tournaments globally, some involving substantial prize money.
White explained the UFC`s approach: “We plan to establish a platform where individuals recognized as world-class competitors can come and face the best under the UFC banner to win a world title. You`ll become a world champion, everyone will be ranked, essentially providing organization to the sport.”
Beyond featuring elite grapplers, White envisions UFC BJJ as a venue for high-profile matches, potentially including competitors who aren`t professional athletes but are well-known figures with grappling experience.
“Believe me, there are many other people out there,” White commented. “Actors and athletes – you might be surprised. Zuckerberg has competed in tournaments. Mario Lopez competes in tournaments. Tom Hardy competes in tournaments. This initiative offers a place where anyone involved in jiu-jitsu could come and compete.”
Given White`s widely known attempt to arrange an MMA bout between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk during their public dispute – an endeavor that led to White joining the board of Zuckerberg`s company, Meta, among other outcomes – the two frequently discuss fight-related topics. White expressed his interest in seeing the Meta founder compete in UFC BJJ.
“Yes, we discuss fighting quite a bit,” White confirmed. “If Mark continues his training and competition, he could absolutely come here and fight in UFC BJJ. One hundred percent. The same applies to Tom Hardy, Mario Lopez, and numerous other actors who are genuinely skilled in jiu-jitsu, which many people aren`t aware of.”
Ultimately, the idea of Zuckerberg and Musk competing in an MMA fight was always less practical than a grappling match. A high-profile BJJ contest featuring Zuckerberg could certainly draw significant attention and be instrumental in building momentum for the new UFC BJJ initiative.
