Elon Musk has indicated the possibility that he might need surgery ahead of his proposed “cage match” with Mark Zuckerberg.
“I’m getting an MRI of my neck & upper back tomorrow,” Musk wrote in a post on social media on Sunday night. “May require surgery before the fight can happen. Will know this week.”
In late June, the two prominent tech moguls seemingly agreed to a direct confrontation in the form of a cage fight. While the actual date for the fight remains uncertain, Mr. Musk and Mr. Zuckerberg have sustained public intrigue regarding the possible encounter by exchanging online taunts.
Mr. Musk announced that the showdown would be broadcast live on his social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.
In a pair of messages early on Aug. 6, the platform’s owner said he was “lifting weights throughout the day, preparing for the fight,” adding that “all proceeds will go to charity for veterans.”
Later that day, Mr. Zuckerberg replied to Mr. Musk via the X-rival Threads, asking “Shouldn’t we use a more reliable platform that can actually raise money for charity?”
“I’m ready today. I suggested Aug. 26 when he first challenged, but he hasn’t confirmed,” wrote Mr. Zuckerberg, who is actually trained in mixed martial arts and posted about completing his first jiu-jitsu tournament earlier this year. “I love this sport and will continue competing with people who train no matter what happens here.”
Last month, images showed Mr. Zuckerberg engaging in what seemed to be training sessions with Israel Adesanya, a mixed martial artist of Nigerian-New Zealand descent. Adesanya boasts a record of 24 wins and 2 losses in his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Mr. Musk indicated his preference for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) when it comes to his chosen combat style. WWE is a professional wrestling organization recognized for its incorporation of narrative-driven fights.
“Aiming to get to 50 pound free weights this week,” Mr. Musk posted. “I build muscle fast. Physical endurance is my weak spot, so I’m aiming to make this quick.”
“If the fight is short, I probably win,” wrote Mr. Musk, who claims to weigh “at least 300 lbs” (136 kilograms). “If long, he may win on endurance. I am much bigger and there is a reason MMA has weight divisions.”
According to ESPN, Mr. Zuckerberg contended in the 149-pound category of the jiu-jitsu competition in May.
“It’s a civilized form of war,” Mr. Musk said when asked what the objective of the fight was. “Men love war.”
Not long after the two billionaires appeared to reach a tentative consensus regarding the contest, Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), disclosed that he had conversed with both individuals. He believes that both Mr. Musk and Mr. Zuckerberg are “dead serious” about the proposal.
