He could go from tech to takedowns.
UFC president Dana White has expressed interest in seeing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg compete—but not in the way you might expect.
It’s well known in MMA circles that Zuckerberg is a passionate UFC fan. Over the past decade, he has taken up Brazilian jiu-jitsu training and even dabbled in broader mixed martial arts practice. A couple of years ago, there were even talks about a potential high-profile cage match between Zuckerberg and fellow billionaire Elon Musk.
Dana White, who is always looking for lucrative opportunities, has previously allowed celebrities like CM Punk to step into the Octagon, fueling speculation about whether he might do the same with Zuckerberg. Recently, White extended an invitation to Zuckerberg—not to fight in an MMA bout, but to participate in an official match for the UFC’s new Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) promotion.
Zuckerberg isn’t the only notable figure White mentioned as welcome to compete. He also named actor Mario Lopez and Hollywood star Tom Hardy, both of whom have competed in BJJ tournaments and found some success. While it’s unlikely any of these celebrities will step into the Octagon for MMA fights, their involvement in BJJ competitions seems quite plausible.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu offers a way to compete intensely without the extreme physical risks of MMA. Given White’s connections and ambitions, it wouldn’t be surprising if the UFC’s BJJ events attract more high-profile names in the future.
