Mark Zuckerberg fights former UFC champion on platform in middle of a lake

Mark Zuckerberg has been filmed sparring with a former champion from the UFC, but in an unusual setting.

Normally, an MMA fight would take place in an octagonal arena surrounded by shouting and cheering fans as the fight unfolds, either that or on the White House lawn in front of US President Donald Trump.

But Zuckerberg took his training to an even more unexpected place than the White House, filming a video of him sparring with former UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili on a floating platform on Lake Tahoe, which straddles the border between California and Nevada.

The setting wouldn't look out of place as the backdrop to a video game, with the pair manoeuvring and locking together, while avoiding being knocked off the edge into the water.

At one point, Zuckerberg kicked out at Dvalishvili, who was sent tumbling into the lake, but he soon got his own back, picking up the billionaire and tossing him into the lake, before jumping right in after him.

Fortunately, the weather appeared to be sunny and calm, or else that might have made for more challenging conditions for a UFC bout - though there's no denying a thunderstorm would have made for a very atmospheric setting.

That said, while the weather might have have sunny there was still an unmistakeable swell on the platform, adding another factor for them to take account of.

The small platform was marked out, and there was a small audience sat to once side as the two combatants circled and sparred with each other.

This was the second time that Zuckerberg has sparred with the bantamweight contender, with a previous session involving them sparring on 17 December 2025, though that was in a gym rather than on a lake.

Zuckerberg had also taken his shirt off for the fight, telling his wife Priscilla Chan on a passing canoe: "Merab made me take my shirt off so it looks more 'fighter'."

And Dvalishvili appeared to be enjoying himself as well, at point saying: "Let's do this every day."

The video was shared to Instagram, and has since circulated around social media, where people have shared their thoughts on the unusual spectacle.

"The ref wearing a life jacket," one joked.

Others complimented Zuckerberg on his form, noting that he has been training a lot in MMA.

"Merab's at 20% speed, of course, but Zuckerberg does truly got that dawg in him," wrote one, adding: "Combos and aggression looking nice."

Another wrote: "Lotta Dorks who have never trained will have their opinion, but in reality he's made huge improvements and you can now tell he's trained before.."

Meanwhile, someone else drew attention to an earlier challenge in 2023, where Zuckberg's fellow tech billionaire Elon Musk had challenge him to a fight, writing: "up for a cage fight".

Taking to social media, the viewer didn't fancy Musk's chances after seeing Zuckerberg's performance, writing: "Mark is by no means an elite fighter but can we all admit Elon would not survive for half a round against him?"

Weighing in on the suggestion, Musk posted at the time: "I have this great move that I call 'The Walrus', where I just lie on top of my opponent & do nothing."

Zuckerberg is enthusiastic martial arts practitioner who trains in MMA and jiu-jitsu, even winning some jiu-jitsu tournaments.