--- title: "Rumors Swirl That Mark Zuckerberg Is Fighting at a UFC Show" description: "Let's examine the strange, swirling, and unfortunately compelling rumors that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg... is fighting at a UFC show on Saturday?" date: "2022-09-30" modified: "2022-09-30" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/rumors-mark-zuckerberg-ufc-show" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "facebook" - "mark zuckerberg" - "Meta" --- # Rumors Swirl That Mark Zuckerberg Is Fighting at a UFC Show ![Let's examine the strange, swirling, and unfortunately compelling rumors that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg... is fighting at a UFC show on Saturday?]() *\Image: Meta/Mark Zuckerberg\* Mark Zuckerberg, [Facebook-turned-Meta CEO]() and noted [Eye of Sauron](), likes to fight. We know this. He's absolutely a [hobby guy](), and [recently revealed MMA-style sparring]() to be one of his wide-ranging pastimes. And we must admit, as several experts did, that he's pretty good at it. But just because you're okay at a pastime doesn't mean that you should take said hobby to unnecessary next levels — you know, the type of next level that screams "I Am Going Through Something." And with that, let's examine the strange, swirling, and unfortunately compelling rumors that Zuckerberg... is fighting at a UFC show on Saturday? As [*Vice* explains](), the UFC organization very suddenly announced earlier in the week that it would be closing its Saturday fight card at the Apex, located in Las Vegas, to the press and public. That's an unusual move, and UFC president Dana White didn't give a firm explanation for the closure other than wanting to give the hardworking fighting press "night off." Aw. That story didn't hold up for long, though. On Wednesday, MMA talking head Ariel Helwani [revealed on his Wednesday radio show]() that a "very good source, very close to the event" had said that the closure had "something to do with Mark Zuckerberg." Record scratch! Then later that day, UFC strawweight Mackenzie Dern — who's slated to fight that night — seemingly confirmed that theory. "I know Mark Zuckerberg rented out the whole event," Dern [said at a Wednesday press briefing](), adding that she doesn't really know much else but is "driven to put on a good show, for Mark and whoever's gonna be there." So, one would imagine that Zucko might in fact be renting the Apex. But then, in a major twist, White took to Twitter to seemingly strike down those claims. "Mark Zuckerberg did NOT rent out the UFC Apex," the UFC chief [wrote in a scathing tweet](). "That's total bullshit." The UFC has yet to comment on the Zuckerberg rumor, while Meta, in another strange turn, apparently responded to *Vice* and *ESPN* requests for comment by just referring reporters to White's angry tweet. But given that Dern is the person actually scheduled to fight, she's in a position to know, and it would be strange to promote a rumor that the UFC president is aggressively denying. And honestly, it's believable. Zuckerberg doesn't keep his many hobbies in the shadows — he loves to talk about them and seems to enjoy showing them off, though jury's still out on whether that's just a ploy to seem more relatable-slash-human. Maybe that [Instagram video]() posted at the beginning of the month, where he spars with his trainer — and actual MMA fighter — Khai "The Shadow" Wu, was some kind of teaser? Still, the secrecy here, especially for someone who tends to keep his hobbies and self-inflicted challenges front and center, is strange. Plus, there's the timing. This exceedingly weird UFC debacle comes after a tumultuous week for the founder, who after officially [dropping from third richest person]() in the world to twentieth, reportedly announced a major Meta "[restructuring]()" — and with it, layoffs and a hiring freeze. Overall it's just [not been a great year]() for Meta, and there's something about this whole thing that, sadly, feels very [Winklevoss depression band](). But that being said, Zuckerberg is nearing the promised Quest Pro launch date, so this could be [another sports-related metaverse promo](). Who knows. But since media isn't allowed on Saturday, we will not be watching. **More on Zuck's fighting skills:** *[Experts Surprised by Mark Zuckerberg's Skill in MMA Sparring Video]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()