When Mark Zuckerberg made a rare appearance Octagon-side at UFC 298, fans were undoubtedly taken aback by the sight of the Facebook founder in the crowd. However, for bantamweight fighter Merab Dvalishvili, the presence of Zuckerberg was not entirely unexpected. In fact, Zuckerberg had reached out to Dvalishvili via text just a few days prior to the event to inform him that he would be attending.
In an exclusive interview with TMZ Sports, Dvalishvili revealed that Zuckerberg had asked him to keep his attendance a secret. Despite this, the two had been following each other on Instagram, hinting at a budding friendship between the fighter and the tech mogul. Dvalishvili shared that he knew Zuckerberg was in the audience and made sure to greet him in person before his fight.
While Zuckerberg was not officially in Dvalishvili’s corner, the fighter joked that the billionaire had acted as his “4th corner” that night, offering him advice during the fight. This humorous anecdote sheds light on the unexpected bond between the two men. It is worth noting that Zuckerberg has trained with top fighters in the past, showcasing his passion for the sport.
Dvalishvili also revealed that he had plans to train with Zuckerberg before the Facebook executive sustained an ACL injury. Despite this setback, the two have expressed their desire to train together once Zuckerberg has fully recovered. With rumors circulating that Dvalishvili may be next in line for a title shot, the fighter shared his thoughts on potential future matchups and his preference for a particular opponent.
In the aftermath of his defeat at UFC 298, questions have arisen regarding Henry Cejudo’s future in the sport. Dvalishvili was asked whether the 37-year-old fighter should consider retirement after suffering his second consecutive loss. The fighter’s surprising response sheds light on the respect and camaraderie that exists within the MMA community.
The unexpected friendship between Mark Zuckerberg and Merab Dvalishvili highlights the diverse and unconventional relationships that can form within the world of professional fighting. As the two men continue to bond over their shared passion for the sport, fans can only speculate about the exciting developments that may lie ahead for both Zuckerberg and Dvalishvili.
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