Clash of the tech Titans

Over the last few years, tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have clashed over several things, including Artificial Intelligence and rockets. But now they are set to compete in an unusual space!

Last month, Musk caused an almighty stir when he challenged his fellow billionaire and Facebook founder Zuckerberg to meet him in a cage fight. And social media has been buzzing since Zuckerberg took up the gauntlet. It is being speculated that the fight will be held at the Colosseum in Italy — it may most likely be an exhibition match.

Even as the world is excited about the face-off between the two giants, experts believe that the event will push the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MAA) and bring it more visibility.

Pitting brawn and brain

Elon and Mark seem untroubled by the disparity in their height and weight — Zuckerberg is 5 ’7 and weighs 65 kg, Musk is 6 ’2 and weighs 90 kg. Keerthan Kondru, Official Coach, Indian National Karate Team, says that to compete in a combat sport you need a big heart and not just a brain. He adds that the two high-profile combatants may have picked MMA since it is a sport that showcases physical strength.

“It’ll be an interesting fight to watch. Mark practices Jiu-Jitsu, even won gold and silver medals at his very first Brazilian tournament recently. Elon too is game to showcase his MMA. So they will pitch intellectual and physical strengths,” says Keerthan who was also a former National Champion and International Medallist. He jokingly adds that the stock market will come crashing down no matter which of them loses.

Keerthan comments that if the match is played as a fundraiser (and for purposes like creating awareness about fitness or self defence) it will motivate many people all over the world to pick up the sport.

No cakewalk

According to Syeda Falak, International Karate Champion, MMA is perhaps the fastest growing combat sport in the world. It is also the most trending sport in the world, which is why Musk and Zuckerberg picked it. She however adds that the fight is not going to be easy for them, as it takes some preparation. “We have been trained over several years to get the fitness and self-defence techniques right. It’s not going to be a cakewalk for either Elon or Mark. But since they have experience of physical activity and endurance, it’s going to be an exciting game,” she says, adding that their respective technical expertise will help them with agility. “Sound technical knowledge boosts your confidence levels. It improves overall personality and approach to sport,” she claims.  

Men’s sport

Former Olympian and World Boxing Champion Venkatesan Devarajan explains that MMA (and other combat sports) is traditionally preferred by high-profile people and cites the example of  legendary boxer Mohammed Ali being instrumental in rescuing stranded American citizens from Iraq in 1990. “It was a huge honour for the sport (boxing and MMA) because no one could do what Mohammed Ali did,” comments Venkatesan, adding that MMA is an example of ‘men’s sport’, which is “about showcasing power and strength.”