Why the Zuckerberg-Musk MMA fight never happened

A proposed MMA fight between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk almost became real, with UFC president Dana White saying negotiations had taken place for about two weeks a few months ago. The idea was to stage the bout in Rome’s Colosseum, a location White said both men wanted for the historic event.

White described the project as genuine but impossible. He said the Colosseum’s managers demanded about $150 million to host the fight in the ancient amphitheater, with the money intended to help restore other historic sites in Italy, especially in Rome. White said, “It was impossible. We were negotiating with both of them about the fight, it was real, but it was impossible.”

According to the report, the deal ultimately fell apart because Musk pulled away from it, not because of the Colosseum price tag. White said he spent two weeks trying to close the match but the organizers would only agree to hold it at the Colosseum.

The story also notes that the UFC’s historic White House event last weekend cost the organization about $60 million, less than half the amount reportedly demanded for the Rome venue.