The UFC is diving headfirst into the world of pure grappling, and Dana White’s new venture, UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, isn’t just about seasoned mat warriors. According to White, some of the names who could appear on the mats are more familiar to fans of the big screen than the octagon—and they might not be there just to watch.
White, alongside former UFC strawweight contender turned executive Claudia Gadelha, is spearheading the launch of UFC BJJ, which includes a reality-style YouTube series titled “UFC BJJ: Road to the Title.” The format draws comparisons to The Ultimate Fighter, with a mix of competition, drama, and behind-the-scenes grit.
However, Dana may open up the competition to celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg.
“[Mark] Zuckerberg has competed in tournaments. Mario Lopez competes in tournaments. Tom Hardy competes in tournaments,” White said in a recent interview, hinting that yes, we could see Meta’s big boss potentially square off on UFC BJJ mats—if they’ve got the skill to back it up.
Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO and Dana’s fellow board member, began training during the COVID-19 pandemic and hasn’t stopped since. He’s rolled with the likes of Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanovski, and even entered a local tournament in 2023, performing impressively for someone whose only been training a short time. Dana insists he’s serious about the potential: “If Mark keeps training and competing, he could literally come here and fight in UFC BJJ, 100%.”
The idea of seeing Tom Hardy or Mario Lopez in a UFC-affiliated grappling bout might sound like pure fan fiction—but it’s not so far-fetched. Both actors have tournament experience, with Hardy earning medals in real-world BJJ competitions and Lopez training consistently for years.
While the inaugural event on June 25 is focusing on seasoned grapplers and emerging talent, White’s open-door policy teases a future where the UFC BJJ mats could be a proving ground not just for rising athletes, but also for celebrities who are serious about their jiu-jitsu.
The UFC has already made a splash in the BJJ, including a very controversial moment. Regardless of how you feel about some of these celebrities, it could be a really huge catalyst for the sport.
