Named favorite in the battle between Musk and Zuckerberg

“There is a chance that the fight with Zuckerberg will take place in the Coliseum,” Elon Musk wrote on his Twitter page, giving the public a reason to strengthen in his mind that the duel of the richest entrepreneurs will still take place.

At the same time, an exclusive article appeared on the pages of the American online tabloid TMZ, in which, citing unnamed sources, it is reported that Italian Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano allegedly contacted Zuckerberg a few days ago about organizing a spectacular event. According to the tabloid, the people of the owner of the Meta company (the organization was recognized as extremist and banned on the territory of the Russian Federation – “MK”) handed over the proposal of the Italian Ministry of Culture to UFC President Dane White.

However, on Friday, the Italian side still hastened to disown this story. According to RIA Novosti, citing its own sources in the ministry, there are no negotiations with Musk and Zuckerberg regarding the fight.

Nevertheless, if the competition takes place there, then the ancient Roman amphitheater will see the “battle of the century” for the first time in hundreds of years. True, there may be more people who want to stare at how status businessmen fight than the Colosseum itself can accommodate. Only a few hundred people can be seated inside the theater.

For example, when in 2003 Sir Paul McCartney held a charity concert within the walls of the architectural monument, 400 people attended the event. The cost of tickets then was $1,500.

Of course, many are still tormented by the dilemma: will there really be a skirmish between entrepreneurs? Or is this another attempt to occupy the society with something.

Apparently, everything is more than serious. Both Musk and Zuckerberg have trained with blogger and scientist and jujitsu black belt Lex Friedman.

Friedman said Musk, 52, demonstrated “strength, power and prowess” in the martial arts. The blogger, after training with businessmen, even wrote on his page on the social network: “It was epic. It’s really inspiring when Elon and Mark do martial arts, but I think the world will be a better place if they just do martial arts and not fight in a cage.”

Here one can really agree with this, because Musk, unlike Zuckerberg, has practically nothing to do with martial arts. The owner of Twitter himself admits that sports and he are things that move in parallel paths.

For Musk, this whole story so far is more like a fun pastime. As the businessman tweeted, “I have a great move that I call the Walrus where I just lie on top of my opponent and do nothing.” In pursuit, he even posted videos of walruses, perhaps hinting that the challenge to Zuckerberg might not be entirely serious.

And here is another revealing phrase: “I almost never exercise, except that I pick up my children and throw them in the air.” Although this may turn out to be Musk’s trick. For example, the Daily Mail claims that Musk has practiced Kyokushin karate, taekwondo, judo, and “Brazilian jiu-jitsu” throughout his life.

In general, in this whole story, in all respects, Zuckerberg looks like a favorite, who has many advantages over his opponent. First of all, he is younger – he is 39 years old, he is actively involved in mixed martial arts and recently even won a jiu-jitsu tournament. Yes, and Zuckerberg modestly, but still unequivocally, responded to Musk’s challenge with the phrase “send me the location.”

It is clear that for many the event is, if not a serious sporting event, then certainly an exciting show that can bring a decent income to the organizers.

Broadcaster and sportswriter Nick Peet on BBC’s World at One noted that the UFC president “licks his lips at the opportunity to put on this fight.” Well, of course, Dane White himself admitted that the “showdown” of the two businessmen could bring about $ 1 billion.

Nick Peet added that he thinks there’s a good chance this could actually happen, “mostly because of Elon Musk and his personality and his eccentric nature.” And, of course, the journalist puts Zuckerberg on the first line in this confrontation: “He is 12 years younger. He is much smaller. I think he is 5ft 7in, Elon is probably around 6ft (1m 83cm).

Mr. Musk has no training. Even though Zuckerberg has only been doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 18 months, it will not be difficult for him to take Musk behind his back, wrap his arms around his neck and apply a choke hold.

Needless to say, even Elon’s father Errol Musk condemned the idea of ​​​​a billionaire son, calling the possible fight “a losing situation for Elon”: “The fact is that if this crazy fight takes place, and Elon defeats this guy, then the son will be called a bully, because it is much heavier and taller. If he loses, it will be a complete humiliation.”

“MK” asked to comment on the prospects for the upcoming battle between the “titans of business” of the president of the promotional company Fight Night Global Kamil Hajiyev:

– Firstly, I will be very surprised if the fight takes place. But I would really like it, because it’s cool for the martial arts industry when successful people from different fields come to it. If the fight does take place, then this, of course, is a big event for the entire community.

The favorite, of course, should be considered Zuckerberg, who has long been engaged in jiu-jitsu. Although, by and large, what difference does it make who wins in what kind of fights. The fact is important here.

– Why do entrepreneurs, big businessmen have such an interest in martial arts?

– This is probably the easiest platform to find out who is better at what. When it comes to team sports, there is still a team factor. Compete in parallel giant slalom? It’s hard to imagine. But if they came out, fought, then everything is very clear.

Plus, when people are engaged in intellectual work, they still have a need for an emotional outburst. Martial arts are perfect for this.

– You have already mentioned and it is a really known fact that Zuckerberg has been doing jiu-jitsu for some time. As for Musk, he himself admits that this is all far from him. In your opinion, does the owner of Twitter have the opportunity to prepare for a fairly serious duel with a serious and well-prepared opponent in a short period of time?

– It can’t, that’s why I think that so far its prospects are rather vague …

Well, based on this, it remains only to observe the development of events. In the meantime, we recall that a kind of conflict that provoked talk about possible showdowns in the ring occurred in early June. Then The Wall Street Journal reported that Zuckerberg’s company intends to launch an analogue of Twitter, codenamed Project 92.

Still hoping to beat his opponent, Elon Musk agreed to train under the guidance of the famous Canadian fighter, three-time UFC champion Georges St-Pierre.