Making sense of the senseless Musk v/s Zuck saga
What's the story
After endless speculation and a bunch of virtual punches thrown, it seems like the world's most pointless fight won't actually happen.
Twitter-turned-X owner Elon Musk and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg were reportedly scheming for a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) face-off. Yes, you read that right.
Here's a lowdown on the stupidest and yet the funniest feud in the history of sports ever.
Beginning
How it all began?
The ongoing feud between these two billionaire rivals dates back nearly a decade, but let's not go there.
The latest episode in their saga, involving an MMA fight, seems to have ignited due to Meta's introduction of Threads—a direct competitor to X—that gained rapid traction upon its release.
Musk went as far as issuing a legal threat against Zuckerberg's Meta, alleging he copied X.
Cage match
June 21: Who pitched the idea for the fight?
No shocker here - Musk, known for his eccentric statements on social media, was the one to bring up the idea of a fight.
Just as Threads hit the scene, Musk began needling Zuckerberg in his tweets with some playful jabs.
And when news spread that Zuckerberg was eyeing a slice of X's pie, Musk playfully pitched the idea of a cage match.
Twitter Post
Musk challenges Zuck
I’m up for a cage match if he is lol
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2023
Challenge accepted
June 21: Zuck accepts the challenge
So, when Elon threw down the challenge, Zuckerberg took to Instagram story and said, "Send me the location."
As soon as the news got around that Zuckerberg was on board, Elon added to the mix, suggesting they settle the showdown at "Vegas Octagon."
When Musk proposed the UFC venue, UFC President Dana White promptly joined in, affirming that both contenders were "dead serious."
Training
June 27: Audience taking sides
Former kickboxer and infamous social media sensation, Andrew Tate raised his hand to be Musk's coach.
It must be noted that Tate was previously banned from Facebook and Instagram over his controversial preachings.
Now, in the other corner, UFC's big shot Jon Jones offered to train Zuckerberg.
While all this was happening, Musk took an "impromptu" training session with Podcaster-cum-Jiu-jitsu pro, Lex Fridman.
Twitter Post
Musk getting all prepped up
I did an impromptu training session with @elonmusk for a few hours yesterday. I'm extremely impressed with his strength, power, and skill, on the feet and on the ground. It was epic. It's really inspiring to see Elon and Mark doing martial arts, but I think the world is served… pic.twitter.com/cq00A9Xnmw
— Lex Fridman (@lexfridman) June 27, 2023
Information
Musk has already been training since COVID-19
Talking about jiu-jitsu, Zuckerberg has been hitting the MMA and jiu-jitsu training since the lockdown months caused by COVID-19. He even stepped into his first tournament in May 2023 and managed to snag a bunch of medals.
Ancient Rome
June 30: Musk shifts the venue to Rome's Colosseum
When Dana White, the UFC president, hinted, as per the New York Times, that he was secretly arranging the Vegas showdown as a charity exhibition, it started feeling like the fight was getting real.
But then, Musk pulled a wild card with a hilariously odd idea that had everyone baffled.
"Some chances fight happens in Colosseum," Musk tweeted. Yes, the ancient 2000-year-old amphitheater!
Bang on
August 6: Zuck says 'I'm ready'
Nearly a month later, Zuckerberg took to Threads to announce the date- August 26.
"I'm ready today. I suggested Aug 26 when he first challenged, but he hasn't confirmed. Not holding my breath," Zuck writes.
He also mentioned his love for MMA and made it clear he's up for challenges from those who truly train, playfully poking at Musk's lack of seriousness.
Twitter Post
Musk says he talked to Italy's PM for fight's venue
The fight will be managed by my and Zuck’s foundations (not UFC).
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2023
Livestream will be on this platform and Meta. Everything in camera frame will be ancient Rome, so nothing modern at all.
I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture. They have agreed on an epic location.
All rumors
August 11: Italian government denies ever talking to Musk
Getting all serious about the fight, Musk tweets out new information that hints things are locked in.
But, surprise! The Italian government says they never talked to Musk about using the Colosseum in Rome for the match.
Italy's Culture Ministry adds, "If Zuckerberg and Musk wanted to perform in the Colosseum they would have to make a non-violent challenge."
Zuck might win
August 13: Musk chickens out, admitting Zuck might win
Elon Musk just threw down the challenge to Mark Zuckerberg for a little practice match at his place next week.
Musk went ahead and tweeted what seems like a chat between him and Zuck.
He seems to chicken out admitting that "I think it is very unlikely, given out size difference, perhaps you are a modern day Bruce Lee and will somehow win."
Interaction
Check out the conversation between the duo
This is the full message: pic.twitter.com/UzbKoIkFOc— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 13, 2023 This is the full message: pic.twitter.com/UzbKoIkFOc— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 13, 2023
Fight cancel
August 14: Zuckerberg 'moves on'
Taking to Threads, Zuckerberg said, "If Elon ever gets serious about a real date and official event, he knows how to reach me. Otherwise, time to move on."
And then, Musk, while slyly slipping in a mention of Tesla's Full-Service-Drive feature and X's latest livestream update, responds that he will drive to Zuckerberg's home and if he opens the door, the fight is on.
Joke
August 16: Musk admits that he 'joked' about the fight
In the latest chapter of this stupid banter, Musk confessed in a tweet, admitting he was simply "joking" about fighting Zuck. "He wrote, "I joked on X about fighting Zuck."
And just like that, our hopes of seeing that showdown went down the drain.
But of course, with the unpredictable billionaire Elon Musk, you can never be too sure about anything!
Twitter Post
Twitter Post
Fight Recap:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 15, 2023
I joked on X about fighting Zuck
Zuck then said “SEND ME LOCATION”
Italy graciously offered a Colosseum
Zuck declined
I suggested his home as “safe space”
Tragically, he was ahem “traveling”
Is there anywhere he will fight?
https://t.co/gpcRLW49fv