Prepare for the Fisticuffs in Florence or the Venom in Venice. Just not the Rumble in Rome.
Elon Musk has reached out to Italy leader Georgia Meloni to secure an “epic location” for his “cage match” with tech rival Mark Zuckerberg — but a government official has ruled out the Everlasting City as a venue.
“I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture,” Musk tweeted on Friday.
“Livestream might be on this platform and Meta. All the things in camera frame might be ancient Rome, so nothing modern in any respect.”
Musk also posted a cryptic tweet hours later with a possible date for the clash between the tech titans.
“Gaius Julius Caesar, March 15,” he posted on his rebranded Twitter site X, a reference to the infamous Ides of March when the emperor was killed.
Nonetheless, the much-rumored “Gladiator”-style showdown at the traditional Colosseum or the every other historic site in Rome is not going to be within the cards.
Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said, “It’s going to not be held in Rome.”
The fight might be managed by my and Zuck’s foundations (not UFC).
Livestream might be on this platform and Meta. All the things in camera frame might be ancient Rome, so nothing modern in any respect.
I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture. They’ve agreed on an epic location.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2023
“I had a protracted and friendly phone conversation with Elon Musk,” he told The Guardian. “We talked in regards to the common passion for the history of ancient Rome. We’re discussing organize a terrific charity and, historical evocation event, in full respect of the sites.”
The Post has sought comment from the ministry.
Elon Musk revealed that he’s spoken to Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (pictured) in addition to the Minister of Culture the determine an “epic location” for his fight against Mark Zuckerberg.Remo Casilli/Sintesi / Avalon
After Musk tweeted earlier this month that he could be “up for a cage fight” with Zuckerberg, the Facebook co-founder shot back by posting a screenshot of Musk’s tweet with the caption “send me location.”
Zuckerberg’s team reportedly passed on the message to Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White, whose people contacted Italian officials, in response to TMZ Sports.
Nonetheless, the outlet later reported that sources with direct knowledge confirmed that the ministry first reached out to Zuckerberg privately, then the request was forwarded to White, and there was a follow-up and a call was set for next week.
In response, Musk tweeted that there was “some change [the] fight happens in Colosseum,” which Sangiuliano has since quashed.
Despite the setback, Musk still seems to have his eyes on Italy, firing out a series of tweets in Italian, including one that claims “dulce est desipere in loco,” which translates to “it is good to be lost within the place.”
Representatives for Musk and Zuckerberg didn’t immediately reply to The Post’s request for comment.
Though each tech moguls have been training with Lex Fridman — artificial intelligence researcher at MIT who hosts the “Lex Fridman Podcast” and in addition has a black belt in Brazilian jujitsu — Zuckerberg undoubtedly has more experience in the game.
While Musk has a major size advantage in comparison with his tech rival, he should still have his work cut out for him against Zuckerberg.
Although a date has yet to be determined for the brawl, Musk’s medical plight will keep fans waiting “a couple of months” while he recovers.AFP via Getty Images
Zuckerberg, meanwhile, has been showing off his ripped physique while training with the likes of Brazilian jiujitsu black belt Lex Fridman and other UFC stars.REUTERS
Zuckerberg, 39, has been training in MMA gyms since September with the hopes of competing, he revealed on June 17. In a May, Zuckerberg revealed via an Instagram post that he won his first amateur Brazilian jujitsu tournament.
Musk, 52, also recently revealed that he has a shoulder problem which will require surgery with a recovery period of “a couple of months.”
