While the anticipated octagon showdown 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.
This Wednesday marks the launch of a new venture for the UFC: UFC BJJ 1, the organization`s first dedicated event focused on competitive grappling. Unlike prior Fight Pass Invitational events, UFC BJJ 1 will establish champions across three divisions – bantamweight, lightweight, and welterweight – signalling a significant push to establish dominance in the grappling world, similar to how the UFC revolutionized MMA.
UFC CEO Dana White expressed his vision for the new initiative, stating the goal is to host the biggest possible grappling matches and to better educate the public about jiu-jitsu, its athletes, and bring structure to the sport. White noted the global prevalence of jiu-jitsu tournaments, some with significant prize money, but sees UFC BJJ as a way to unify it. He aims to create a platform where athletes can compete against the world`s best for an official world title, establishing rankings and structure.
White also sees UFC BJJ as an opportunity to feature high-profile matches, even if participants aren`t elite professionals. He mentioned numerous actors and athletes are active in jiu-jitsu, including Mark Zuckerberg, Mario Lopez, and Tom Hardy, suggesting the platform is open to anyone who trains and competes.
Recalling his attempt to arrange a Zuckerberg vs. Musk MMA fight, White highlighted his ongoing relationship with Zuckerberg, who now serves on the board of Meta. White stated they frequently discuss combat sports, and he would welcome Zuckerberg to compete in UFC BJJ if he continues training. He reiterated that many lesser-known actors and athletes are skilled jiu-jitsu practitioners who could potentially compete. A grappling match, in contrast to a full MMA bout, is seen by many as a more realistic and sensible format for celebrity participation, potentially offering a significant boost to the new UFC BJJ platform.
