MMA training has exposed tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg to one of its harshest realities: injuries.
Zuckerberg, who has been dedicated to training and engaged in discussions about participating in an actual MMA fight, revealed that he tore his ACL while sparring. On Friday, Zuckerberg shared images from his hospital bed following surgery. The founder of Facebook had been preparing for a fight scheduled to take place early in 2024, but the timeline for his potential MMA debut will have to be adjusted as he recovers from this significant injury.
“I tore my ACL while sparring and just underwent surgery to replace it,” Zuckerberg wrote on Instagram. “I’m grateful to the doctors and the entire team taking care of me. I had been training for a competitive MMA fight early next year, but that’s now delayed. I am still looking forward to doing it after my recovery. Thank you to everyone for the love and support.”
Zuckerberg, aged 39, has openly expressed his fighting aspirations over the past year. He was present at a UFC Apex event, contemplating a potential showdown with fellow tech billionaire Elon Musk. However, talks of a bout with Musk ultimately fell through, and Zuckerberg was in the process of finding a new opponent before sustaining his injury.
“Maybe next year. Not Elon, but someone else,” Zuckerberg told The Verge in September regarding his potential MMA debut. “I want to continue competing, but I just need to find the right person.”
In addition to observing fights up close as a fan, Zuckerberg has invested considerable time in training on the mats. In July, Zuckerberg shared several photos from a training session with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Zuckerberg has also been honing his BJJ skills under the guidance of Dave Camarillo and was recently promoted to blue belt. Earlier this year, he participated in his first tournament where he secured first place in no-gi and second place in gi at the BJJ Tour Silicon Valley.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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