UFC 298: Mark Zuckerberg appears in Alexander Volkanovski's corner for fight vs. Ilia Topuria... Facebook founder joins Australian's team for main event in California
- Zuckerberg is a big MMA fan but has halted training after tearing ACL last year
- He could be seen cheering, with Merab Dvalishvili engaging with him in his fight
- Volkanovski was upset by Topuria as he was knocked out in the second round
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg shocked UFC fans by appearing in the corner of Alexander Volkanovski ahead of his fight at UFC 298.
The Australian featherweight faced off against the unbeaten Ilia Topuria in the main event of Saturday night's show in California.
Zuckerberg, who trains in mixed martial arts and was slated to fight fellow billionaire Elon Musk, was sitting cage side earlier in the night before donning a Team Volkanovski tracksuit ahead of the fight.
He could be seen cheering as the fight progressed, seemingly beaming with excitement as he watched Volkanovski compete in what was his 30th fight of his career.
He did not prove a lucky charm, however, as the Australian was knocked out in the second round of the main event in Anaheim.
![Mark Zuckerberg was in Alexander Volkanovski's corner for his fight against Ilia Topuria](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/06/81404937-13096907-image-a-1_1708236813950.jpg)
Mark Zuckerberg was in Alexander Volkanovski's corner for his fight against Ilia Topuria
![The 39-year-old could be seen cheering on but failed to provide the good luck charm on night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/06/81404939-13096907-image-a-2_1708236818332.jpg)
The 39-year-old could be seen cheering on but failed to provide the good luck charm on night
![The Australian lost in the second round as he passed on the metaphorical torch of the pound-for-pound king](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/06/81404959-13096907-image-a-3_1708236821369.jpg)
The Australian lost in the second round as he passed on the metaphorical torch of the pound-for-pound king
Zuckerberg has been fully engrossed in training MMA, tearing his ACL in training late last year.
He has been eyeing a return to the cage in September after revealing recovery was 'going well' post-surgery, but he has been unable to stay away from the sport in his competitive absence.
The 39-year-old lives in California, which is the host state of where Saturday night's event was being held in Anaheim.
It wasn't just Volkanovski's who he was involved with on fight night, with bantamweight Georgian Merab Dvalishvili chatting to him in the front row while holding Henry Cejudo in a tight choke at the end of the penultimate round of his victory.
![Zuckerberg could be seen enjoying the event despite it not ending how he would have liked](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/06/81404943-13096907-image-a-4_1708237326551.jpg)
Zuckerberg could be seen enjoying the event despite it not ending how he would have liked
![He has set September as a target return date as he continues to recover from ACL surgery](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/06/81404941-13096907-image-a-12_1708237666952.jpg)
He has set September as a target return date as he continues to recover from ACL surgery
![Topuria embraced the fans after being crowned following his win in the main event of the show](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/18/06/81405145-13096907-image-a-5_1708237361891.jpg)
Topuria embraced the fans after being crowned following his win in the main event of the show
Volkanovski, meanwhile, was upset by Topuria in the second round of their fight at the metaphorical torch of the pound-for-pound king was handed over.
The Australian was rendered unconscious for a considerable period of time before making it to his feet, with a right hand on the chin putting him out cold and the challenger delivering what he promised.