When you think of Mark Zuckerberg, the first thing that might come to mind is Facebook or perhaps his reign as the CEO of Meta. But according to jiu-jitsu phenom Mikey Musumeci, Zuckerberg should also be known for his tenacity and raw talent on the mat. In an interview that shook up sports fans and tech aficionados alike, Musumeci declared about Zuckerberg, “When I started to train I saw that he was like this animal on the mats. He’s tough as f**k!”
Imagine the scene: the same guy who connected the world with social media is now grappling like a beast in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It’s not your everyday tech titan tale, to say the least.
Speaking of tales, let’s not forget Mikey Musumeci’s own journey—a narrative that reads like a who’s who of the martial arts realm. After making his debut in the ONE Championship in April 2022, the 27-year-old American known by fans as ‘Darth Rigatoni’ claimed his first win via a rear-naked choke against Masakazu Imanari. But he didn’t just stop there. Musumeci sprinted ahead to secure the inaugural flyweight submission grappling world title. Post this accomplishment, he’s been a wall that’s impossible to scale, holding onto his title against noteworthy adversaries like Gantumur Bayanduuren and Osamah Almarwai. Recently on August 4, during ONE Fight Night 13, Musumeci continued his winning streak, defeating Jarred Brooks with a triangle armbar.
Musumeci’s next bout is already causing a buzz. On October 6, he is set to clash with Japanese fighting legend Shinya Aoki in a non-title openweight fight. This adrenaline-pumping event will be part of ONE Fight Night 15, scheduled to take place in the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The good news? If you’re an active North American Amazon Prime Video subscriber, you can witness this high-octane action live and free.
Now, circling back to Zuckerberg—Musumeci’s admiration doesn’t just end with their intense training sessions. He revealed that their relationship extends beyond the physical challenges and sweat of the gym. When pressed on whether Zuckerberg has the chops to actually “hang with a professional fighter,” Musumeci was forthright: “100%. 100%, and I think he could win.” Zuckerberg himself is not shying away from these high expectations. In his own words, “When I compete, I want to do it in a way that puts a spotlight on the elite athletes at the top of the game. You do that by working with professional orgs like the UFC or ONE to pull this off well and create a great card.”
It seems like Zuckerberg is not just in this for the spectacle. He’s serious about honing his martial arts skills and potentially stepping into professional fighting arenas. UFC President Dana White confirmed as much in a separate interview with TMZ Sports, stating, “So [Zuckerberg] and I talk multiple times a week. We [had] dinner last Monday. He’s very serious about competing.” White added that Zuckerberg is committed to ensuring any fight would be sanctioned and professional, saying, “There are plenty of professional organisations out there, we should be fighting in the UFC.”
So, there you have it—two narratives converging into one electrifying storyline. On one side, you have Mikey Musumeci, a man proving himself to be a formidable force in the world of martial arts. On the other, you have Mark Zuckerberg, the tech mogul who could very well be the sport’s most unexpected and exciting newcomer. Between Musumeci’s ringing endorsement and Dana White’s affirmation of Zuckerberg’s competitive zeal, the Meta CEO’s future in the fighting ring is looking more plausible by the day.
For now, all eyes are on both Musumeci and Zuckerberg. While ‘Darth Rigatoni’ aims to continue his indomitable run in the martial arts scene, the world is anxious to see if Zuckerberg will transition from the boardroom to the octagon. When men like Mikey Musumeci and Dana White say you’ve got what it takes, you’re not just a tech geek dabbling in a hobby—you’re a genuine contender. Buckle up, because if this duo has anything to do with it, the worlds of tech and fighting are about to collide in a way we’ve never seen before.
