Tech moguls Musk, Zuckerberg spar online over 'fight' plans

Tech giant Elon Musk said on Sunday that his proposed fight with Meta head Mark Zuckerberg would be live-streamed on his social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.

Amid the professional competition between them, the duo have been egging each other into a mixed martial art cage fight since June.

It isn't clear how serious both sides are about the proposal, as most communications regarding the fight have been jocular.

No date has been set, but Musk had suggested the Las Vegas Octagon, an events center where mixed martial arts (MMA) championships are often held.

The build up to 'Zuck v Musk'

Over the weekend, Musk and Zuckerberg continued mimicking boxers taunting their opponents in the build-up to a fight. 

Musk said that the Twitter website he bought and is now trying to rebrand as X would livestream the fight and that "all proceeds will go to charity for veterans." 

Zuckerberg's riposte, meanwhile, was posted on his rival site Threads, and questioned whether X would have a large enough reach. 

"Shouldn't we use a more reliable platform that can actually raise money for charity?," he asked. 

Zuckerberg, also appeared to question whether Musk, who has a habit of issuing social media comments with his tongue in his cheek, was serious about the fight. 

He suggested an August 26 date, and said "I'm ready today... but [Musk] hasn't confirmed." 

The 39-year-old Meta chief executive is a mixed martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in several ju-jitsu competitions. 

"I love this sport and will continue competing with people who train no matter what happens here," Zuckerberg said on Sunday.

A history of sparring

The maelstrom began when Musk provoked Zuckerberg in June by asking him if he was "up for a cage fight."

Zuckerberg in return asked Musk to "send location," which was when Musk first suggested Vegas.

Over the years, the tech giants have clashed on several issues ranging from politics to artificial intelligence.

In early July, the duo became direct competitors after Meta launched a Twitter-like platform called Threadswhich rapidly drew 120 million users, according to Quiver Quantitative.

ns/msh (AFP, Reuters, AP)