Zuckerberg's MMA Debut Delayed after ACL Tear

In a surprising twist, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s MMA debut is set to be postponed. Zuckerberg revealed on Friday, via an Instagram post, that he has suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) during a sparring session, ahead of a highly anticipated fight scheduled for early 2024.

The 39-year-old tech billionaire has been vocal about his intention to compete in a real MMA fight. His enthusiasm was evident when he sat cageside at a UFC Apex event and even initiated talks for a potential bout against fellow tech magnate Elon Musk. Although the bout with Musk didn’t materialize, Zuckerberg remained dedicated to finding a new opponent and stepping into the ring. He has even trained with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, honing his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) skills under the guidance of Dave Camarillo. Earlier this year, Zuckerberg clinched first place in no-gi and second in gi at the BJJ Tour Silicon Valley, showcasing his commitment to the sport.

Zuckerberg’s journey from Silicon Valley to the MMA arena has stirred interest and support, even from UFC CEO Dana White, who expressed eagerness to be involved in a potential fight against Elon Musk. Despite Musk’s recent affirmation on Joe Rogan’s show that he’s ready to fight “anytime, anywhere, any place, any rule,” Zuckerberg’s recent injury casts uncertainty on such a matchup. Zuckerberg’s post, which shared snapshots from his hospital bed post-surgery, voiced his gratitude to his medical team and supporters.

“Tore my ACL sparring and just got out of surgery to replace it. Grateful for the doctors and team taking care of me… Still looking forward to doing it after I recover,” he said, signaling his unwavering resolve to compete once he’s back on his feet.