The lights hadn’t even dimmed for the UFC 320 main card, yet one of the world’s most recognizable faces was already in the building. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO and jiu-jitsu fanatic, arrived early at the T-Mobile Arena, ahead of most fans and maybe even Dana White. For a sport where A-listers usually show up fashionably late, Zuckerberg’s early arrival during the prelims instantly lit up the crowd and social media.

The UFC shared this moment of dedication by the Meta CEO on their X account with the caption, “In the building early 👀.” And fans couldn’t help but remember something similar happening not too long ago. Back at UFC 310, comedian Theo Von made news for being a VIP who saw every single bout from start to finish, surrounded by rows of vacant seats until the main event began.

Von’s dedication became a meme: a superstar who came for the fights, not just the photo ops. So, when fans noticed Zuckerberg doing the same thing, the comparisons came flying fast. And in typical fight night fashion, the internet lit up. Fans couldn’t help but make the Theo Von comparisons, as they wrote, “Bro thinks he’s Theo Von,” and “The true early attendee is still Theo Von.”

Others argued, “Bro is not Theo Von,” and “That’s not Theo Von.” It was all in good fun, but the running gag formed a funny picture of Zuckerberg accidentally moving into the same cult-favorite territory as Theo Von by being the rare celebrity who actually watches every fight. But of course, no mention of Zuckerberg at a UFC event could escape Elon Musk‘s towering shadow.

The long-awaited cage bout between the two tech titans may never have happened, but the memory of that summer in 2023, when Dana White even proposed staging it at the Colosseum, remains fresh in fans’ minds. “He is looking for the Elon Musk fight 😂,” one fan joked. Others added, “Where is the Elon bout?” and “Man’s still looking for Musk.”

The excitement that previously surrounded that fantasy fight resurfaces whenever either of the billionaires does anything remotely related to combat sports. However, seeing Mark Zuckerberg being involved in all things MMA is not a rare sight anymore. For many, his early appearance was further proof that he had become a true MMA enthusiast. “BJJ changed Zuck for the better,” one fan said, while another said, “The man’s a real MMA fan!”

Comments flooded in, complimenting his transition from Silicon Valley coder to combat sports enthusiast. “Atta boy, Zuck,” one tweet read, while another added, “Say what you want about the guy, Zuck is a fan.” It’s a far cry from the image of the quiet tech billionaire he once was, as now he’s rolling on mats, competing in jiu-jitsu tournaments, and arriving early for prelims. In fact, this quick appearance may be foreshadowing something bigger in the making behind the scenes.

Mark Zuckerberg’s MMA interest may get more Dana White attention

Mark Zuckerberg’s early attendance at UFC 320 may have seemed to be a simple display of passion, but it could also foreshadow something bigger. UFC CEO Dana White has long appreciated Zuckerberg’s commitment to martial arts, and with the launch of UFC BJJ earlier this year, the idea of the Meta CEO stepping onto a combat mat has grown from fantasy to possibility.

His presence at the arena wasn’t just about watching fights; it was a subtle reminder that he remains deeply connected to the sport. White has already teased the idea of Zuckerberg participating in UFC BJJ, showcasing his grappling abilities and martial arts background. “If Mark keeps training and competing, he could literally come here and fight in UFC BJJ, 100%,” White said in June.

Mark Zuckerberg’s jiu-jitsu career, which included training with champions such as Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, has already won him great respect in the MMA scene. With the next UFC BJJ event set for December 11, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, speculation is mounting. While they couldn’t get the Elon Musk fight, fans envision the Meta CEO competing against seasoned grapplers in front of a live audience.

Whether Mark Zuckerberg accepts the challenge once laid by Dana White or continues to immerse himself in the sport, one thing is certain: the UFC CEO is paying attention, and MMA fans may soon witness the intersection of Silicon Valley and the Octagon in ways never seen before.