In a move that has caused ripples across social media, Elon Musk, the dynamic owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, and the founder of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has announced new details about his proposed face-off with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The duel is a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout to be live-streamed on the X platform. The most heartening news is that all proceeds from this novel event will be donated to charities benefiting veterans.
The tech giant rivalry was sparked earlier this year when Meta introduced Threads, a direct competitor to X. Musk had jokingly proposed a cage match on X to Zuckerberg, saying, “I’m up for a cage match if he is lol.” The cheerful banter soon became a serious challenge as Zuckerberg agreed, saying, “send location.” Musk declared that the Ultimate Fighting Championship octagon in Las Vegas would be the battleground for this billionaire brawl.
Zuck v Musk fight will be live-streamed on 𝕏.
All proceeds will go to charity for veterans.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2023
Musk’s preparation for the showdown has been unique. According to his X posts, he has been “lifting weights throughout the day, preparing for the fight” since he doesn’t “have time to workout.” Thus, he’s integrated his training regimen into his work schedule, bringing his weights to work. He also tweeted about a move he’s coined “The Walrus,” which involves lying on top of his opponent and doing nothing.
On the other side of the octagon, Zuckerberg has been spotted training with UFC champions Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. Despite the serious preparations, Zuckerberg had expressed uncertainty about the event’s fruition. However, UFC President Dana White confirmed that the two tech titans were “absolutely dead serious” about the cage match. “This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world,” White noted, predicting record-breaking pay-per-view numbers and significant proceeds for charity.
Am lifting weights throughout the day, preparing for the fight.
Don’t have time to work out, so I just bring them to work.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 6, 2023
The announcement of the fight not only indicates an escalating competition between these billionaire social media moguls but also promises an engaging spectacle for the public. Whether it’s Musk’s innovative work-weight-lifting combo or Zuckerberg’s intense jiu-jitsu training, the lead-up to this bout has been as novel as the idea itself.
While both combatants seem ready for the challenge, the final victor remains anyone’s guess. The adage, “Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill,” could prove true with Musk, at 52, pitted against the younger Zuckerberg, at 39.
Yet the focus on the fight, however captivating, should not eclipse the larger, more impactful picture: the immense benefit to veterans’ charities this spectacle could offer. This shared cause truly puts the magnates in the same corner. As the world watches Musk and Zuckerberg take their rivalry from the boardroom to the octagon, the real winners will be American veterans in need.
