Elon Musk says he may need surgery before proposed ‘cage match’ with Mark Zuckerberg

NEW YORK — Elon Musk says he could must get surgical procedure earlier than a proposed “cage match” with Mark Zuckerberg.

The 2 tech billionaires seemingly agreed to an in-person face-off in late June. It is unclear if a bodily struggle will really find yourself taking place, however Musk and Zuckerberg have continued to gas curiosity within the potential match by on-line jabs at each other — most lately on Sunday, when Musk mentioned the struggle can be live-streamed on his social media website X, previously often called Twitter.

Musk added that the struggle’s proceeds would go to a charity for veterans. On his Threads social media account, Zuckerberg responded: “Shouldn’t we use a extra dependable platform that may really elevate cash for charity?” In a follow-up publish, the the CEO of Facebook’s mother or father firm Meta mentioned he wasn’t “holding his breath” for a struggle.

“I’m prepared right now. I steered Aug 26 when he first challenged, however he hasn’t confirmed,” wrote Zuckerberg, who is definitely educated in blended martial arts and posted about finishing his first jiu jitsu event earlier this 12 months. “I really like this sport and can proceed competing with individuals who practice it doesn’t matter what occurs right here.”

Earlier Sunday, Musk mentioned was coaching for the struggle by lifting weights. He later addressed the timing of the struggle — noting the date “remains to be in flux” attributable to a scheduled MRI and the potential of surgical procedure.

“I’m getting an MRI of my neck & higher again tomorrow,” Musk wrote Sunday night time. “Could require surgical procedure earlier than the struggle can occur. Will know this week.”

Discuss of an in-person struggle all began in June, when Musk, who owns X, responded to a tweet about Meta making ready to launch a brand new Twitter rival referred to as Threads. He took a dig in regards to the world changing into “solely beneath Zuck’s thumb with no different choices” — however then one Twitter consumer jokingly warned Musk of Zuckerberg’s jiu jitsu coaching.

“I’m up for a cage match if he’s lol,” Musk wrote. After Zuckerberg appeared to comply with the proposal, Musk proposed the Vegas Octagon.

Whether or not or not Musk and Zuckerberg really make it to the Las Vegas ring has but to be seen — particularly as Musk typically tweets about motion prematurely or with out following by. However, even when their cage match settlement is all a joke, the banter gained consideration. An infinite chain of memes and posts to “select your fighter” sprung up in response.

The Related Press reached out to Meta, X and Final Combating Championship, which owns the Octagon, for statements Monday morning.