Elon Musk is X-ing Dana White out of the Mark Zuckerberg fight

UFC President Dana White may be on the outside looking in now for Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, speaks during a South by Southwest panel in Austin in 2018.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, speaks during a South by Southwest panel in Austin in 2018. / Suzanne Cordeiro / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Elon Musk seemed to affirm on Aug. 11 that plans are moving ahead for him and Mark Zuckerberg to have their showdown in Italy.

Except it comes with a caveat — the UFC and Dana White will not be involved in the bout, according to Musk.

In a post on his social media platform, X (the former Twitter), Musk says that the fight between he and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will not have the UFC involved at all in the management of the fight. Rather, according to Musk, his and Zuckerberg's foundations will help to organize it all.

Musk added that the fight would be broadcasted exclusively on their social media platforms — X and those run by Meta (i.e. Facebook, Instagram). This and the lack of UFC involvement would effectively mean no involvement of a platform like ESPN+ or UFC Fight Pass.

Elon Musk promises epic fight with Mark Zuckerberg in spite of lack of involvement from Dana White, UFC

During a recent appearance on Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson, White claimed that he met with the Italian Minister of Culture — Gennaro Sangiuliano — to set up the fight at the ancient Colosseum in Rome.

Musk's posts did not give confirmation if this would remain the case without UFC involvement but it seemed to be hinted as such. Musk stated that in talks with Sangiulliano and Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, an "epic location" has been agreed upon. Musk also noted that "everything in camera frame will be ancient Rome" and "everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy."

Musk added that all proceeds from the fight would go to benefit veterans.

The UFC and Dana White have not yet responded to Musk's posts, but it's safe to say White may be a very unhappy man with these words from Musk.

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