Jiu-Jitsu Session: Craig Jones Trains Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Sparking Mixed Reactions
Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) icon Craig Jones recently conducted a training session with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the grappling martial art. The collaboration has garnered varied reactions, highlighting the tech billionaire’s growing involvement in combat sports.
Popular Grappler Jones Partners with Tech Mogul
Craig Jones, a celebrated figure in the grappling world and co-founder of the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), is well-known for his exceptional BJJ skills and charismatic personality. He also serves as a grappling coach for Alexander Volkanovski, the former UFC Featherweight Champion.
Zuckerberg’s Combat Sports Interest
Mark Zuckerberg’s enthusiasm for combat sports, particularly mixed martial arts (MMA) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has become increasingly apparent. Speculation arose in 2023 about a potential high-profile match between Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.
Social Media Post and Fan Response
Jones shared photos of his BJJ training session with Zuckerberg on social media platform Instagram, accompanied by the caption: ‘Thanks @zuck for always having my back’. However, the online response from Jones’ followers was notably divided.
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Aussie grappler Craig Jones has teamed up with Meta billionaire Mark Zuckerberg for a Brazilian jiu-jitsu training session
The Meta CEO is a huge fan of martial arts and trains as often as he gets the chance
Negative Feedback from Some Followers
Several users expressed disapproval of the partnership in the comments section:
- One user commented, ‘This is the worst content you have ever put out.’
- Another replied, ‘First Craig L.’
- A third stated, ‘G***est thing you’ve ever posted.’
Positive Reactions and Speculation on Financial Gains
Conversely, some fans congratulated Jones, suggesting the training session was financially rewarding for the Australian BJJ black belt:
- ‘The payment must’ve been heavy,’ one user posted.
- ‘Craig is now a millionaire off that private,’ another user remarked.
Meta’s Concern Over Zuckerberg’s MMA Engagement
In 2024, Zuckerberg’s passion for MMA prompted warnings from Meta investors about potential business risks. A training injury, specifically a torn anterior cruciate ligament, sidelined the proposed Musk fight and raised concerns within Meta.
The fit tech mogul was slated to fight fellow billionaire Elon Musk in 2023
Mark Zuckerberg has trained with UFC champions Israel Adesanya (L) & Alex Volkanovski
Zuckerberg (seen competing in Brazilian jiu jitsu) was promoted to bluebelt in 2023
Zuckerberg is a fan of the UFC and can sometimes be seen cageside at events
Risk Assessment by Meta
Meta acknowledged their dependence on Zuckerberg’s leadership, stating in an investor update: ‘We currently depend on the continued services and performance of our key personnel, including Mark Zuckerberg.’ The company further highlighted the risks associated with Zuckerberg’s hobbies:
‘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.’
Zuckerberg responded humorously to the update, sharing a GIF of UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski with the caption ‘high risk = high reward’.
Support from the MMA Community
Zuckerberg’s engagement with MMA has received significant encouragement from prominent figures in the sport. UFC icon Conor McGregor praised Zuckerberg’s participation in a jiu-jitsu competition, tweeting: ‘Yo!! F*****g awesome, Mark,’ after he secured gold and silver medals.
Zuckerberg’s BJJ Progress
Having attained a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Zuckerberg reportedly aims to eventually achieve a black belt, a goal requiring years of dedicated training. He joins a list of celebrities who practice BJJ, including Tom Hardy, Ashton Kutcher, Russell Brand, and Jason Statham.
Reassurances Regarding Safety
While injuries are common in martial arts, fatalities are exceptionally rare, particularly in controlled training environments with experienced instructors. This context suggests Meta investors can remain confident in the safety of Zuckerberg’s BJJ pursuits.