In a proposed “cage match” between Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Zuckerberg has emerged as the clear favourite among bettors.
Within 48 hours of Musk issuing the challenge, sports betting firms and odds providers have already released preliminary odds for this potential billionaire showdown. According to Oddspedia, a sports betting platform aggregating odds from multiple bookmakers, Zuckerberg, trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has been given a 77% chance of winning the fight.
If the fight occurs, betting one dollar on Zuckerberg could yield a payout of $1.20 in the event of his victory. On the other hand, a bet on Musk could pay as much as $4.00 if he comes out on top.
Despite standing at a slightly shorter height of 5-foot-7 (170 cm), Zuckerberg’s proficiency in jiu-jitsu has gained recognition. He achieved notable success in white belt lightweight divisions, securing first and second positions in two jiu-jitsu tournaments in May.
Zuckerberg’s progress in the sport has even garnered praise from influential figures within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), including UFC President Dana White and former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor.
Numerous training videos featuring Zuckerberg can be found online, showcasing his dedication and preparation for the potential showdown.
Mark Zuckerberg training with BJJ world champion Mikey Musumeci pic.twitter.com/plE3CUpoP7
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) June 17, 2023
In contrast, Musk is believed to have a larger physique and a height advantage, reportedly standing at 6-foot-1 (185 cm). While limited information about his combat skills is available, Musk recently mentioned his involvement in “real hard-core street fights” during his upbringing in South Africa.
In a light-hearted manner, Musk also shared that he indulges in a daily donut and humorously claimed to be “still alive” despite it.
In a tweet on June 22, Musk jokingly described his fighting style, referring to a move called “The Walrus,” where he playfully stated he would simply lie on top of his opponent without taking any action.
The discussion about a potential physical confrontation between Musk and Zuckerberg originated on June 21, when Musk expressed his willingness to share the cage with the Meta founder.
Zuckerberg promptly responded on Instagram with the phrase “Send me location,” which gained popularity after being used by former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Despite the heightened anticipation, many do not expect the fight to materialize. However, it is worth noting that this is not the first time Musk and Zuckerberg have found themselves at odds.
In 2017, the two billionaires engaged in a heated debate regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and its future implications. Zuckerberg reportedly expressed a more optimistic perspective, dismissing concerns of AI leading to catastrophic scenarios or the extinction of humanity.
Musk, in response, remarked that he had discussed the matter with Zuckerberg, suggesting that the latter had a limited understanding of the subject.