Meta Platforms’ CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance alongside Alexander Volkanovski, UFC featherweight champion, at UFC 298 has left many pondering the reason behind his surprising walkout. Shedding light on this curiosity, UFC CEO Dana White has shared the inside story.
Power Play: At a press conference, White revealed that it was Volkanovski who extended the invitation to the tech mogul, not the other way around.
He described the experience of witnessing the intense faceoff between Volkanovski and Georgian fighter Ilia Topuria as a rare and phenomenal spectacle for any ardent fan.
White emphasized, “The other unique and incredible thing to do is to accompany a world champion as he defends his title. Irrespective of one’s wealth or status, it’s an immensely exceptional experience if one gets the opportunity.”
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Offering clarity on his unconventional selection of company in the walkout, Volkanovski stated, “He (Zuckerberg) was attending the event and we’re friends. We frequently converse. I invited him to join us for the walkout.”
Regarding Zuckerberg’s concerns about interfering, Volkanovski assured him that it wouldn’t be an issue, musing, “It’s certainly a unique move, isn’t it?”
While the fight concluded with Volkanovski losing his title to Topuria, it was Zuckerberg’s awkward presence that became the focus of social media discussions and memes.
Video footage of Zuckerberg, clad in a tracksuit, repeatedly nodding and passing items between cornermen, has been widely circulated online.
Significant Insights: Zuckerberg’s ardent interest in martial arts has been extensively documented. Notably, the Meta CEO has achieved success in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu contest, securing gold and silver medals.
Zuckerberg has also constructed an octagonal fighting ring in his backyard and is currently recuperating from a knee injury sustained during preparations for a competitive MMA bout.
Last year, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk proposed a “cage match” with Zuckerberg, capturing public attention with the prospect of these tech giants facing off in the MMA ring or a similar sporting arena.
However, discussions waned after Zuckerberg called out Musk, asserting, “It’s evident that Elon’s intentions are not earnest, and it’s best to discontinue this endeavor.”
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