Tag: Meta

Mark Zuckerberg On UFC CEO Dana White Joining Meta’s Board Of Directors: ‘His Ability To Build Such A Beloved Brand…’

Mark Zuckerberg announced on Monday that UFC CEO Dana White has become a member of Meta’s board of directors. The two business men have struck up a relationship in recent years due to their mutual interest in each other’s companies which has seen Zuckerberg sit cage-side for multiple UFC events. At one point, there was […]

Mark Zuckerberg announced on Monday that UFC CEO Dana White has become a member of Meta’s board of directors. The two business men have struck up a relationship in recent years due to their mutual interest in each other’s companies which has seen Zuckerberg sit cage-side for multiple UFC events.

At one point, there was even talks of White promoting a fight between the Meta CEO and Elon Musk although that eventually dissolved.

This move presents a new challenge for White who is always looking to challenge himself. Of course, the financial gain in becoming a part of a massive organization like Meta is sure to be a motivating factor also with White set to reportedly receive a retainer of at least $50,000 after joining the board alongside two other new members.

Zuckerberg and Meta have been specifically linked to the UFC in recent times following White’s comments on the way that the promotion creates its ranking system for the fighters. He has spoken about wanting to use AI in order to take opinion out of the conversation following his criticism throughout 2024 regarding the current method.

“I’ve never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta’s board,” White said in a statement. “I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future.”

Zuckerberg is also excited to see the value that White can bring to Meta as in his own statement. As an avid mixed martial arts fan, he praised the UFC boss for the work that he has done to transform the promotion into a major player in sport which in turn, has made MMA into a mainstream product.

“(White) has built (UFC) into one of the most valuable, fastest growing and most popular sports enterprises in the world,” Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook. “I’ve admired him as an entrepreneur and his ability to build such a beloved brand.”

Meta Appoints UFC President Dana White to Board of Directors, Eyeing Major Innovations in AI with Mark Zuckerberg

Dana White mark zuckerbergIn a strategic move to strengthen its leadership, Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the addition of Dana White, President…

Dana White mark zuckerberg

In a strategic move to strengthen its leadership, Meta Platforms Inc. has announced the addition of Dana White, President of the UFC, to its board of directors. White is joined by John Elkann, CEO of Exor and chairman of Ferrari, and Charlie Songhurst, a seasoned technology investor, as the newest members of the tech giant’s leadership team.

Dana White Joins Meta Board of Directors

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who is known for his interest in mixed martial arts, expressed enthusiasm for the appointments. “Dana, John, and Charlie bring a depth of expertise and perspective that will help us tackle the massive opportunities ahead with AI, wearables, and the future of human connection,” Zuckerberg stated.

Dana White, widely credited with transforming the UFC into a global sports powerhouse, shared his excitement about the new role. “I’ve never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta’s board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future,” White said. “There is nothing I love more than building brands, and I look forward to helping take Meta to the next level.”

Mark Zuckerberg

Meta has been at the forefront of innovation in artificial intelligence and the metaverse, pivoting its focus in recent years to these emerging technologies. The company has achieved remarkable growth, with its market valuation nearing $1 trillion in early 2024.

Dana White mark zuckerberg

Dana White’s addition to the board reflects Meta’s broader ambition to integrate diverse expertise into its leadership as it explores new frontiers in technology and human connection. Alongside White, John Elkann brings extensive experience in global investments and automotive innovation, while Charlie Songhurst adds deep knowledge in enterprise software, AI, and strategic acquisitions from his tenure at Microsoft.

Dana White and Mark Zuckerberg became friends as the Meta CEO was taking a highly active interest in competing in MMA. He has even trained with UFC champions and has attended dozens of UFC events. Dana White reached out to Zuckerberg to help use AI to transform the UFC’s ranking system.

Meta warns investors that Mark Zuckerberg’s passion for MMA could negatively impact business

Mark Zuckerberg trains with MMA fightersMeta is warning shareholders that its bottom line could be negatively impacted by Mark Zuckerberg’s love of mixed martial…

Mark Zuckerberg trains with MMA fighters

Meta is warning shareholders that its bottom line could be negatively impacted by Mark Zuckerberg’s love of mixed martial arts.

Zuckerberg — the enigmatic co-founder of Facebook and CEO of Meta Platforms Inc. — has become a massive fan of MMA in recent years, training with some of the sport’s biggest stars including Alexander Volkanovski, Israel Adesanya, and five-time IBJJF world champion Mikey Musumeci. ‘The Zuck’ even competed in a BJJ tournament last year, taking home gold and silver medals.

Unfortunately, Zuckerberg has already been exposed to the ugly side of the sport, having to undergo knee surgery after suffering an ALC injury while training. That was enough for Meta to decide that Zuckerberg’s passion for MMA and other extreme sports needed to be disclosed to its shareholders.

“We currently depend on the continued services and performance of our key personnel, including Mark Zuckerberg,” the company said in the ‘key personnel’ section of its annual report, which it filed on February 2. “Mr. Zuckerberg and certain other members of management participate in various high-risk activities, such as combat sports, extreme sports, and recreational aviation, which carry the risk of serious injury and death.

“If Mr. Zuckerberg were to become unavailable for any reason, there could be a material adverse impact on our operations,” the section continued (h/t The Hollywood Reporter).

Mark Zuckerberg Was All-In on Fighting Elon Musk Inside the Octagon

Last year, Zuckerberg found himself the subject of many a headline courtesy of his feud with fellow tech billionaire Elon Musk. The two had agreed to compete in a cage match to settle their issues with UFC CEO Dana White chomping at the bit to promote the fight under his Las Vegas-based banner.

However, Zuckerberg called everything off in August citing Musk’s unwillingness to accept anything that was offered to him.

“I think we can all agree Elon isn’t serious, and it’s time to move on,” Zuckerberg wrote on Instagram. “I offered a real date. Dana White offered to make this a legit competition for charity. Elon won’t confirm a date, then says he needs surgery, and now asks to do a practice round in my backyard instead.”

According to White, Mark Zuckerberg is still interested in testing his mettle inside the Octagon someday, though it likely won’t be against the Tesla Motors CEO.

Video – UFC, Meta bring fans first virtual reality experience at LFA 144

UFCEarlier this month, Mark Zuckerberg had the MMA community on edge as it appeared the Facebook CEO had rented out the UFC APEX for his own private event. As it turns out, the event was being used to test out a new partnership between the Las Vegas fight company and Meta, the parent company of […]

UFC

Earlier this month, Mark Zuckerberg had the MMA community on edge as it appeared the Facebook CEO had rented out the UFC APEX for his own private event.

As it turns out, the event was being used to test out a new partnership between the Las Vegas fight company and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, that will bring a virtual reality experience to fans starting with LFA 144 which aired on Friday night. Fans were given a virtual front-row seat via the Horizon Worlds app available on the Meta Quest 2 VR headset.

Fans Share Their Experience With UFC’s Newest VR Offering

Fans were quick to share their VR experience which allowed individuals sitting in the comfort of their own homes to enter the arena and sit down for an up-close look at the evening’s action.

Earlier in the week, Fight Pass VP Crowley Sullivan announced the partnership via a press release.

“We are excited to offer an unprecedented level of engagement for Fight Pass subscribers and MMA fans around the world by producing a live MMA event in virtual reality,” said Crowley Sullivan. (via MMA Junkie). “With Meta providing the VR platform and YBVR lending their production expertise, we’re confident this will be a great experience for fight fans.”

While the platform is still being optimized for the best possible viewing experience, fans online appear to be genuinely thrilled with the technology and the possibilities it brings.