The world almost witnessed one of the most surreal billionaire showdowns in history. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg teased a cage fight that had all the ingredients of a spectacle. UFC CEO Dana White was fully on board, hyping up the potential clash, while Zuckerberg was already sharpening his skills on the mats with UFC champions. For a brief moment, it seemed like this wild fantasy might actually become reality. But, like many highly anticipated fights before it, this one fell apart before it ever began. Still, the idea of this billionaire showdown keeps the MMA fan on their toes.

On a recent episode (#2280) of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan and his guest took a trip down memory lane. The JRE host invited Peter Berg for a candid chat, but revisited the Musk-Zuckerberg saga. The guest of the show was curious to know what could have unfolded inside the cage if they ever collided inside the Octagon. He went on to ask the 57-year-old UFC color commentator as to why the fight never happened. Rogan was quick to respond, “I don’t know.” Zuckerberg has been turning heads with his unexpected passion for combat sports. But what could have happened if they ever fought? Well, it seems Joe Rogan believes Zuckerberg held an upper hand mainly because of his work ethic.

The 40-year-old has been competing in jiu-jitsu tournaments and sharpening his skills alongside UFC stars like Israel Adesanya and Max Holloway. All these factors could have helped him come out in a better shape if the fight ever happened between the two. He said, “He trains hard with legit guys. He trains all the time. He’s very smart and very obsessed by it. And he’s like legitimately training.” 

The UFC commentator feels there is a considerable size difference between both the tech giants as he has personally met with both of them. Also, Musk has a background in Karate, which he learned during his early days, that might have helped him. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to endurance, which decides the outcome of the fight according to the 57-year-old.

Rogan further added, “He’s significantly smaller than Elon. Elon’s a big guy. But that only goes so far, especially if you don’t have any endurance. He took Karate when he was younger.” Rogan during the conversation also made it clear that the fight was never meant to happen in the first place. Was it really the case? UFC CEO Dana White has a completely different take on it. According to him, he was really close to pulling this fight off.

Dana White explains why the fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg never happened

Few figures in combat sports have shaped the industry quite like Dana White. As the president of the UFC, White has built a reputation for putting together some of the most thrilling, unexpected, and lucrative fights in MMA history. His ability to create matchups that capture the imagination of fans has been a key factor in the UFC’s global success. But White’s matchmaking skills extend beyond just big names. He’s also willing to take risks, pushing for high-stakes fights that challenge the status quo. Imagine the iconic Roman Colosseum alive with excitement, hosting a showdown between two of the world’s richest men. Sounds unbelievable?

Well, it could have been a reality and Dana White nearly pulled it off. Speaking to Tucker Carlson, White said, “[Musk vs. Zuckerberg] was real, I was in the middle of it and I had a blast doing the negotiations with that thing.” He went on to reveal that he had conversations with both men, discussing everything from the rules and weight classes to, most surprisingly, the choice of venue.

However, it later fell apart as revealed by him as revealed by him, “I was literally doing conference calls with the government in Italy to do this thing in the Colosseum in Rome. For the right number, the Colosseum was gonna let us do that fight there. Eventually it started to fall apart, but while it lasted it was fun.”

While the fight itself has faded into the background, the rivalry still lingers. As recently as January 2025, Zuckerberg hinted that he was still open to stepping into the cage. Do you think the pair will ever fight against each other inside the Octagon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.