Mark Zuckerberg has made a habit of popping up in UFC circles recently, and new training footage has emerged of him scoring an impressive takedown during sparring.
The Meta CEO quietly stepped into a three-round sparring session with a recently dethroned UFC champion, and the clips that followed looked far more structured than a celebrity having fun.
Zuckerberg sparring with UFC champ
Merab Dvalishvili released around six minutes of video from a three-round sparring session, offering a clearer look at Zuckerberg’s training than anything before it.
Zuckerberg stayed active throughout the rounds, moved into clinch positions, and engaged on the ground.
He even completed a couple of takedowns, although Dvalishvili quickly reminded him of the gap by returning fire with a slap before resetting.
Sure, the former champion clearly held back, but the exchanges still carried some structure.
Dana White has defended Zuckerberg repeatedly
Whenever clips of Zuckerberg training surface, jokes tend to follow. UFC CEO Dana White has spent years pushing back against that narrative.
“People talk s—t about Zuckerberg,” White said. “Zuckerberg is actually a great athlete. He trains in MMA, surfs, does all this s—t.”
White has consistently argued that critics misunderstand Zuckerberg’s commitment to training.
“Everybody thinks he’s some computer nerd — Mark Zuckerberg will beat the living s—t out of you.
“The moral of the story is all of you telephone tough guys and internet tough guys that talk s—t about Mark Zuckerberg?” White said. “Zuckerberg will beat the s—t out of every one of you. Just for the record.”
Zuck’s relationship with UFC fighters
Zuckerberg’s connection to the sport goes beyond gym visits.
Dvalishvili has spoken openly about their relationship, which began through social media and developed into real-world interactions.
“Mark Zuckerberg, we became friends on social media,” Dvalishvili said. “He’s been supporting me, and we send positive messages to each other.”
That support extended to the fight night earlier this year.
“He did text me a couple of days ago that he would be at the fights, but he told me don’t tell no one,” Dvalishvili said. “I keep a secret, of course.”
Zuckerberg even played a role cageside during Dvalishvili’s bout with Henry Cejudo.
“During the rounds, he was telling me times, ‘30 seconds left,’ he was coaching me,” Dvalishvili said. “He was my fourth corner tonight.
“When I got [Cejudo] in the choke, the choke was tight, but I got too excited,” he said. “I was looking at Mark Zuckerberg, and I had too much fun.”
