SpaceX, Twitter and electric automobile maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks on as he speaks during his visit to the Vivatech startup and technology innovation show on the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, June 16, 2023. (Photo: Alain JOCARD/AFP ) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Alain Jocard | AFP | Getty Images
Twitter owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk suggested Vegas because the venue for a “cage matchup” after he was reportedly challenged to a fight by Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.
“Vegas Octagon”, Musk tweeted late Wednesday. He was responding to Zuckerberg’s Instagram post, which responded with a message “send me location” after Tesla’s boss confirmed he was ready for a “cage duel”.
Cage matches were popularized by mixed martial arts or MMA franchises reminiscent of the UFC. The “octagon” refers back to the cage across the ring where fighters fight, because it has eight sides.
The series of exchanges began earlier this week when Mario Nawfal, founder and CEO of International Blockchain Consulting, tweeted “META to launch “Twitter Rival” called THREADS. Facebook parent goal is reportedly working on a standalone, text-based social networking app that would rival Twitter.
Musk responded to Nawfal by saying, “I’m sure Earth is looking forward to being solely under Zuck’s thumb with no other options. A minimum of she’ll be “reasonable.” I used to be fearful for some time there.”
One other user warned Musk saying, “Higher watch out @elonmusk, I heard he’s doing ju jitsu now.”
Zuckerberg reportedly has a white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He trains under the guidance of Dave Camarillo from the Guerilla Jiu Jitsu academya black belt in judo and jiu-jitsu who has trained many UFC champions.
This prompted a comment from Musk that suggested he was able to tackle Zuckerberg. Musk quipped, “I’m ready for a cage match if he’s lol.”
Technology publication Verge confirmed that Zuckerberg is “serious about fighting Elon Musk and is now awaiting details” if Musk decides to proceed. “The story speaks for itself,” a Meta spokesperson said, referring to Zuckerberg’s Instagram story. It’s unclear if the fight between the 2 tech leaders will actually occur, or if Musk’s tweets were serious. A Meta spokesman was not immediately available when contacted by CNBC.
Late Wednesday, Musk posted one other tweet saying, “I actually have this great move I call ‘Walrus’ where I just lie on top of my opponent and do nothing.”
He also said, “I almost never exercise except to select my kids up and throw them within the air.”