Combat specialists have had their say over who they assume will win in a ‘cage match’ showdown between rival tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
Musk – Tesla CEO and proprietor of Twitter, and Zuckerberg – CEO of Facebook, Instagram and mother or father firm Meta Inc., got into a now-viral back-and-forth on their respective social media platforms this week, seemingly agreeing to the fight.
This sparked a mad flurry of hypothesis over what such a bout might appear like and a fervent debate over who would come out victorious.
The final consensus on-line gave the impression to be pretty even. These predicting Musk would win pointed to his bigger stature, whereas these backing Zuckerberg highlighted his eager ardour for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, during which he has just lately gained medals.
Now, struggle specialists have weighed in to the talk, and have additionally been discovered to be divided over who they assume will win in a bodily battle of the billionaires. Whereas some say the Fb chief would ship a ‘Zucker punch’, others predict he would ‘crumble’ if caught within the ring by the bigger Musk.
Combat specialists have had their say over who they assume will win in a ‘cage match’ showdown between rival tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg (pictured competing in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu event earlier this yr)
Combat specialists have weighed in to the talk, and have additionally been discovered to be divided over who they assume will win in a bodily battle of the billionaires. Colby Covington (left), an American skilled combined martial artist, informed Fox Information he backs Musk, whereas Michael Chandler, a UFC light-weight fighter, stated he would wager on Zuckerberg to come back out on high
Colby Covington, an American skilled combined martial artist who at present competes within the welterweight division of the Final Preventing Championship, emphatically backed Elon Musk to win the potential contest.
Nevertheless, it appeared he was maybe being influenced by his ideological stance above the flexibility (or lack of) demonstrated by the pair.
‘It would not even be aggressive,’ he stated. ‘Mark Zuckerberg, he brings beta, soy-boy vitality. Elon Musk, he brings alpha vitality. He is a person of the individuals.
‘He is trying to restore free speech. He is trying to struggle corruption and collusion on the highest ranges of presidency… He talks the speak and he walks the stroll.
‘I do not assume Zuckerberg will ever get within the octagon with him and if he did, I do not assume he’ll be the identical particular person once more,’ Covington informed Fox Information.
The MMA fighter even put ahead some fighter nicknames for the pair, and downplayed Zuckerberg’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
‘Measurement issues, and Elon Musk packs the large punch,’ he stated. ‘That is the ‘Sultan of SpaceX.’ That is the ‘Terror of Tesla.’ That man brings alpha vitality, if he [Musk] punched Zuckerberg, he’d crumble.’
‘Zuckerberg is nothing greater than a privileged thief that stole Fb, and if he received punched within the mouth, that jiu-jitsu goes proper down the bathroom.’
Michael Chandler, a UFC light-weight fighter, contested Covington’s prediction.
Right here, DailyMail.com compares the 2 tech titans in a typical story of the tape
Colby Covington (left), an American skilled combined martial artist who at present competes within the welterweight division of the Final Preventing Championship, emphatically backed the Tesla CEO to win the potential contest. Michael Chandler (proper), a UFC light-weight fighter, stated the Fb CEO was the favourite due to his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
‘I’ve received Zuckerberg on this one,’ Chandler stated. Zuckerberg has been coaching. Sure he does have one of many decrease belts on the BJJ hierarchy however you see him on the market.
‘He is doing boxing, he is doing kick boxing. And I spoke to Dana White right now. He stated this struggle is actual, and this struggle is occurring. It may be the most important struggle in – not simply in UFC historical past however fight sports activities historical past – I feel sure, Elon is the larger man, however Elon is the older man. All of it is dependent upon who can truly present up on struggle evening, and put these expertise to the take a look at, and Zuckerberg has much more expertise.
‘It is a risk (that Musk might win). Elon’s a bugger dude, however Zuckerberg is definitely in there mixing it up with world class fighters, BJJ practitioners, each single day – and he has the age benefit. Elon’s slightly bit over the hill, not only for a fighter – so Zuck all the best way,’ he stated.
A pair of UFC specialists additionally backed Zuckerberg – additionally pointing to his confirmed preventing expertise, his youth, and his spectacular health ranges.
‘Zuckerberg all day!’ British broadcaster and UFC reporter Nick Peet informed the BBC.
‘He is 12 years youthful. He’s so much smaller. I feel he is 5ft 7ins, Elon’s most likely round 6ft. And Elon’s most likely received a few stone in weight on him.
‘However sadly Mr Musk has received no coaching in anyway,’ Peet stated.
‘Though Zuckerberg’s solely been coaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu for 18 months, it would not be troublesome for him to take his again, wrap his arms round his neck and provides him previous cuddle and choke him out!’
Journalist and professional Muay Thai fighter Elena Cresci additionally backed the Fb founder.
‘Zuck’s been coaching, whereas Elon Musk has been tweeting that he does not practice past throwing his youngsters up within the air. So on paper it is Zuck. He is been having time doing his little BJJ competitions,’ she informed The Guardian.
She did recommend that Musk’s measurement might play to his benefit
These backing Zuckerberg highlighted his eager ardour for Brazilian jiu-jitsu – during which he has even just lately gained medals. Pictured: The Meta CEO takes half in a BJJ event in Might
Musk says he has skilled in Kyokushin karate, taekwondo, judo, and ‘Brazilian jiu-jitsu briefly’ all through his life
‘Elon Musk is only a lot greater than him, so he might simply lie on high of him and hope for the most effective,’ she stated – a tactic Musk himself has stated he may deploy.
‘I’ve this nice transfer that I name ‘The Walrus’, the place I simply lie on high of my opponent & do nothing,’ Musk tweeted amid the clamor over the potential struggle on Thursday.
Writing for The Guardian, health professional and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Joel Snape additionally backed Zuckerberg, whereas expressing doubt over the struggle going forward.
Meta’s CEO, he writes, ‘truly practices combined martial arts (MMA), and just lately competed in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu event the place he gained a brace of medals.
‘As a two-decade BJJ bro with a handful of beginner MMA fights below my very own (black) belt, I understand how troublesome that’s,’ Snape added, earlier than urging the pair to give attention to greater points reminiscent of, he wrote, ‘who can repair the local weather disaster the toughest’.
MMA featherweight fighter Billy Quarantillo additionally stated he felt Zuckerberg would win, regardless of admitting that he would like to see Musk victorious.
‘My head says Zuck who has been coaching BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) for abt a yr (I feel) takes the dub (win), however Elon Musk is my man and I am rocking with him, undecided if I am allowed to wager although. Who y’all taking?’ he requested he followers.
A pair of Brazilian combined martial artists have been torn on the competitors, with Renato Moicano saying he would ‘wager on Tesla’ (Musk) whereas his compatriot Gilbert Burns stated he would ‘put the home on Zuck’.
Regardless of the uncertainty of a cage match truly taking place, bids are already being positioned for a projected winner. DraftKings’ projected odds stood at 140+ for Musk and -160 for Zuckerberg on Thursday – making the Fb founder the favourite.
Within the UK, betting agency Ladbrokes predicted Zuckerberg would ship a ‘Zucker punch’ to Musk, making the Meta CEO a 1/3 favourite over Musk.
‘Elon Musk is sport for a battle of the socials however he is already been dealt a Zucker punch within the betting, with the chances suggesting it will be a tough evening within the (Twitter) Blue nook,’ a spokesman for the agency stated.
The Mirror’s preventing professional Harry Davies additionally predicted Zuckerberg would come out on high. ‘Though the Meta boss is significantly smaller than Musk, I might again him to win the fantasy struggle,’ he wrote.
Australian female boxing superstar Ebanie Bridges informed the Day by day Star Sport that she would again Musk, nonetheless: ‘I actually like Elon Musk, I feel he’s so random, so I will decide him.’ she stated, joking: ‘He kinda has that serial killer look.’
After The Verge shared a article they’d revealed claiming that the bout had been confirmed, Musk responded that he needs it to occur in Vegas
A eager martial artist, Zuckerberg has confirmed his bodily capabilities, posting footage of himself successful Brazilian jiu jitsu tournaments onto his Instagram web page.
Zuckerberg had competed and gained medals on the BJJ Tour competitors in Woodside, California, in Might. He wrote: ‘Competed in my first jiu jitsu event and gained some medals for the Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu staff.’
The Meta CEO walked away with a gold medal within the Nogi Grasp 1 White Belt Feather Weight Division and the Silver medal within the Gi Grasp 2 White Belt Feather Weight Division.
Beforehand, comic, UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan hailed Zuckerberg as being a ‘f**king savage’ over his contest wins.
On his podcast The Joe Rogan Expertise, Musk stated he had skilled Kyokushin karate, taekwondo, judo and ‘Brazilian jiu-jitsu briefly’ all through his life.
Zuckerberg has additionally accomplished the ‘Murph problem’, an intense bodily take a look at during which the competitor runs a mile, completes 100 pull-ups, 200 press-ups and 300 squats, earlier than working one other mile – all whereas sporting a 20lb weighted vest.
He stated he accomplished this in 39 minutes and 58 seconds – a formidable feat. One consumer stated this may place him within the high 1 % of individuals to finish the take a look at.
He’s additionally understood to run sub-20 minute 5K (3.1 mile) runs.
UFC legend Conor McGregor has beforehand praised Zuckerberg who confirmed off his MMA expertise in a video posted to his Instagram web page.
‘Yo!!! F****** superior Mark,’ McGregor commented.
Rogan added: ‘That is nice! I am so glad to see this. Coaching seems to be stable too!’
UFC bantamweight star Sean O Malley wrote: ‘Damnnn!! love seeing this.’
In contrast, Musk has shared a photograph of himself preventing a sumo wrestler prior to now.
After phrase of the struggle unfold on social media, Musk tweeted: ‘I virtually by no means work out, besides for selecting up my youngsters and throwing them within the air.’
He has, nonetheless, stated he has skilled in Kyokushin karate, taekwondo, judo, and ‘Brazilian jiu-jitsu briefly’ all through his life.
Zuckerberg posted this picture after he accomplished the ‘Murph problem’, an intense bodily take a look at during which the competitor runs a mile, completes 100 pull-ups, 200 press-ups and 300 squats, earlier than working one other mile – all whereas sporting a 20lb weighted vest
The speak of a struggle between Zuckerberg and Musk all began when Musk, who owns Twitter, responded to a tweet about Meta reportedly making ready to launch a brand new Twitter rival referred to as ‘Threads.’
He took a dig concerning the world turning into ‘solely below Zuck’s thumb with no different choices’ – however then one Twitter consumer jokingly warned Musk of Zuckerberg’s jiu jitsu coaching. ‘I am up for a cage match if he’s lol,’ Musk wrote late Tuesday.
Zuckerberg quickly responded – and appeared to comply with Musk’s proposal.
‘Ship me location,’ Zuckerberg wrote on a Wednesday evening Instagram story, which confirmed a screenshot of Musk’s tweet alongside one other consumer’s response urging the Twitter proprietor to ‘begin coaching.’
In response to Zuckerberg’s location request on Wednesday, Musk proposed the Vegas Octagon. He then joked about his preventing expertise and exercise routine, suggesting that the struggle will not be critical.
‘I’ve this nice transfer that I name ‘The Walrus’, the place I simply lie on high of my opponent & do nothing,’ Musk wrote, later saying he might struggle Zuckerberg with one hand.
The interplay started after Musk commented concerning the Meta’s reported in-development app, saying: ‘I am positive Earth cannot wait to be solely below Zuck’s thumb with no different choices’
Whether or not or not Musk and Zuckerberg truly make it to the ring has but to be seen – particularly as Musk typically tweets about motion prematurely or with out following by. However, UFC promoter Dana White has claimed the struggle is on.
Even when their cage match settlement is all a joke, the banter gained consideration, with an countless chain of memes and posts to ‘select your fighter’ bobbing up.
‘The story speaks for itself,’ a Meta spokesperson stated in a press release to The Related Press. Zuckerberg has not commented additional.
The Related Press stated it had additionally reached out to the Final Preventing Championship, which owns the Octagon, and Twitter for statements. Twitter’s press e-mail responded with a poop emoji, its customary automated response to reporters.
