Elon Musk just can’t help himself.
The Tesla Motors CEO was thrust into the MMA limelight earlier this year after he seemingly accepted a challenge to fight fellow tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. In what started as a simple spat on X (formerly Twitter) took on a life of its own, particularly after UFC CEO Dana White injected himself into the situation, desperately hoping to host the social media smackdown inside the Octagon.
Things got even more crazy when rumors started to fly that the Colosseum (yes, that Colosseum) was offering to host the event inside one of the most prominent constructions of human history.
For better or for worse, the fight never came to fruition after Musk and Zuckerberg had a disagreement about how the bout should be promoted. Musk was all about holding the fight in Rome and streaming it exclusively on their respective platforms. Zuckerberg wanted it to be co-promoted with the UFC, giving other mixed martial artists an opportunity to gain exposure and benefit from the event.
“I was posting all these fight videos and someone said on Twitter time, ‘Hey, you should fight Zuck.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m willing to fight if he is,’ and then Zuck posted, I think on Instagram or something, ‘Name the place,’ or something, something to that effect. I said, ‘Okay, how about the Vegas octagon,'” Musk said while explaining how it all got started during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience.
“Italy was actually willing to have us use the Colosseum. I was like, we can’t turn that down… And Zuck pulled out. He used the pull-out method.”
Elon Musk says Zuckerberg is ducking their fight:
"Zuck pulled out. He used the pull-out method. I’ll fight him any place, anywhere, under any rules.” pic.twitter.com/r6jiVg2QNt
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 31, 2023
Elon Musk is Still Willing to Fight Zuckerberg ‘Under Any Rules’
Following their disagreement, Musk offered to fight Zuckerberg anywhere he chose, even offering to come to Zuck’s private home and settle things right then and there. Musk echoed those same sentiments while speaking to Rogan.
“At the end of the day, I’ll fight you any place, anywhere, under any rules,” Musk added. “I’m way bigger than him, it’s just unfair. I don’t think he should fight me.”
While Elon Musk certainly has the size advantage, he has no legitimate experience in martial arts whereas Zuckerberg has gained much respect in the MMA community for his dedication to training. The Facebook founder even walked away with a gold medal during his first BJJ competition this year. As a result, Zuckerberg was briefly listed as a heavy favorite on sportsbooks while the details were being mulled over.
Watch the full clip below:
