Elon Musk mentioned on Friday that his much-hyped cage combat with Mark Zuckerberg would happen in Italy, as authorities there confirmed talks about internet hosting a “great charity event”.
Whereas any showdown between the 2 tech titans has but to be formally confirmed, Musk mentioned on his X social media platform — previously referred to as Twitter — that preparations have been advancing.
“I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture,” Musk wrote, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “They have agreed on an epic location.”
Italian Tradition Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano confirmed talking to Musk about “how to organize a great charity event evoking history” however mentioned any match “will not be held in Rome.”
Musk apparently hopes the combat would happen within the historical Colosseum, a Unesco World Heritage web site, posting concerning the concept in late June.
In a press release, Sangiuliano mentioned any occasion with Musk would elevate “a huge sum, many millions of euros, (that) will be donated to two important Italian pediatric hospitals.”
“It will also be an opportunity to promote our history and our archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage on a global scale,” he mentioned.
Musk mentioned “everything done will pay respect to the past and present of Italy” and that proceeds will “go to veterans.”
He mentioned the cage match could be managed by foundations run by himself and Zuckerberg and never by UFC, the Las Vegas-based combined martial arts promoter.
UFC boss Dana White, nonetheless in search of participation within the occasion, instructed Mike Tyson’s podcast this week that he believed the combat would generate $1 billion in income.
The 2 tech tycoons, who’ve sometimes jousted from afar, turned direct rivals after Zuckerberg’s Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July.
In a barely frivolous apart, Musk later posted a phrase in Latin that interprets as “it is delightful to play the fool occasionally.”
Musk didn’t point out a date for the proposed combat, however mentioned he could must endure “minor surgery” to resolve a “problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs.”
“Recovery will only take a few months,” he added.
The world’s richest particular person has a titanium plate holding two vertebrae collectively however mentioned Friday it’s presently “not an issue.”
Zuckerberg, a martial arts fanatic who has taken half in jiujitsu competitions, didn’t instantly remark.
