Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., has responded to claims made by Elon Musk regarding a potential cage match between the two billionaires in Rome. Zuckerberg took to Meta's Threads blogging site to clarify that there are no concrete plans in place for the fight and that Musk's statements should not be assumed as agreed upon.
Zuckerberg, who has a keen interest in martial arts, expressed his enthusiasm for the sport and stated that he has been ready to fight ever since Musk issued the challenge. However, he emphasized that until a confirmed date is set, any claims made by Musk should be treated with caution.
Musk had earlier posted on social media, providing supposed details about the highly-anticipated CEO duel. According to Musk, the fight would be overseen by their respective foundations rather than a professional organization like the UFC. He also mentioned that the event would be livestreamed on Meta and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, which Musk owns.
In his post, Musk claimed to have spoken to the Prime Minister of Italy and the Minister of Culture to secure an epic location for the fight. Italy's culture minister confirmed that he had discussions with Musk regarding the event. Musk also mentioned that all proceeds from the fight would go to veterans, although he didn't specify a particular foundation or organization.
The rivalry between Musk, aged 52, and Zuckerberg, aged 39, has intensified since the launch of Meta's Threads in July, which directly competes with Musk's platform, X. Threads achieved 100 million users within a week of its launch, benefitting from Meta's vast user base.
Musk initially challenged Zuckerberg to the fight in late June, and Zuckerberg responded by asking for a meeting location. However, Musk's health issues have added complications to the potential showdown. Musk recently stated that he would be undergoing an MRI for his neck and upper back, and later mentioned a problem with his shoulder blade that might require minor surgery. Musk estimates a quick recovery within a few months.