Mark Zuckerberg’s awkward UFC 298 behavior goes viral after bizarre antics

Sean McCormick
Mark Zuckerberg with Alexander Volkanovski ahead of UFC 298

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has developed a passion for mixed martial arts and he was keen to show everybody at UFC 298.

One glance at the Meta chief executive’s Instagram page will show it is littered with his MMA exploits, and the 38-yeart-old has trained with the likes of Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski.

Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili even spoke and laughed with a cage-side Zuckerberg midway through his one-sided win over Henry Cejudo.

Zuckerberg then accompanied Volkanovski to the ring for the UFC 298 main event, as the Australian defended his world featherweight title against Ilia Topuria.

Topuria registered an upset victory as he knocked Volkanovski out in the second round but it was the exploits of Zuckerberg, rather than the Spaniard’s highlight reel knockout, that has arguably gained more traction online.

Mark Zuckerberg’s awkward Volkanovski exchange

Zuckerberg was part of Volkanovski’s entourage pre-fight and was keen to help out in any way he could as the fighter stripped down and was being checked by the referee.

But, despite Zuckerberg’s repeated awkward attempts to take Volkanovski’s shirt, shoes, shorts, or even trying to shake hands with the 35-year-old, he is repeatedly ignored by the fighter and his team.

The 38-year-old continues to bounce along awkwardly to the music as he is continually snubbed and it has left UFC fans cringing on social media.

One fan tweeted: “I cannot stop watching this train wreck that is Mark Zuckerberg trying to look like he belongs.”

Another added: “Mark Zuckerberg looks like that really nice kid trying to fit in and hang with the bad kids,” while another added: “Mark Zuckerberg’s awkwardness will always be funny.”

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About The Author

Sean McCormick is the Sports Editor at Dexerto. He has a BA in Sports Journalism and over the last seven years has worked as a writer, reporter and an editor across titles such as Chronicle Live, Leeds Live and Manchester Evening News covering the region's football clubs and sports stars. Sean loves football, boxing, MMA, darts and NBA. You can email him here: sean.mccormick@dexerto.com