While the rest of the MMA world focused their attention on UFC 288 this past weekend, a much smaller group of MMA fans had the opportunity to witness a far-less-promoted but, arguably, just as intriguing card featuring the dominant debut of one of the unlikeliest of headliners: Facebook founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Appearing in his first-ever Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, Zuckerberg stunned spectators at a May 6 tournament in Redwood City, Calif by taking home a gold and silver medal at the event. The 38-year-old billionaire tech genius outlasted the field in both the gi and no gi disciplines of the white belt master 2 lightweight division en route to securing the medals, according to Jitsmagazine.com.
Zuckerberg, who reportedly began BJJ training during the COVID-19 pandemic, competed in the BJJ tourney as a representative of Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu–a team founded and run by Judo and BJJ black belt master Dave Camarillo. Naturally, as reports of his big debut surfaced online, the social media guru and father of three shared a Facebook post announcing his impressive victories.
“Competed in my first jiu jitsu tournament and won some medals 🥇🥈 for the Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu team,” Zuckerberg wrote before thanking Camarillo and fellow trainers Khai Wu and James Terry for helping him train.
Zuckerberg then shared a post on Instagram, his other social media platform, touting his latest accomplishment. And, as you might expect, many of his followers were quick to weigh in with their stunned replies.
UFC champions Brandon Moreno (flyweight), Israel Adesanya (middleweight) and Alexander Volkanovski (featherweight) were among the host of famous fighters and faces who congratulated Zuck on IG. In his reply, Volkanovski called Zuckerberg a “legend” and complimented his shorts, which appeared to be a gift from the UFC fighter based on the response.
Wrote Zuckerberg, “When the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world gives you shorts, you wear them!”
Needless to say, Zuckerberg certainly made quite the impression in a space few likely imagined him stepping him into. Only time will tell, however, if the big-time businessman decides to trade in his signature gray t-shirt for a gi again at some point in the future.
