Get ready for chokeholds and red carpets—because Dana White just opened the door for Hollywood heavyweights to step into the grappling spotlight.
In a wild twist that blends celebrity culture with elite combat sports, UFC President Dana White revealed that some of the biggest names in tech and film—like Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Hardy, and Mario Lopez—could soon compete in the UFC’s brand-new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu promotion, officially titled UFC BJJ.
This isn’t about VIP ringside seating.
This is about A-listers getting down on the mat and going toe-to-toe with the best in the game.
UFC BJJ: The Birth of a New Combat Sport Empire
Dana sat down with UFC veteran turned executive Claudia Gadelha and TMZ’s Babcock this week to break down the promotion’s newest frontier—UFC BJJ: Road to the Title, a TUF-style YouTube series leading into the first official UFC BJJ event on June 25.
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The YouTube show will spotlight rising grapplers on their journey to championship gold—and, apparently, leave room for celebs with real jiu-jitsu skills.
“Mark [Zuckerberg] has competed in tournaments. Mario Lopez competes. Tom Hardy competes. This is a space anybody could come and compete in,” Dana said.
Yes, he’s serious.
Zuckerberg in the Cage? Believe It
The idea of Mark Zuckerberg—yes, the Meta CEO—fighting under the UFC banner might sound like sci-fi, but Dana’s dead serious.
“If Mark keeps training and competing, he could literally come here and fight in UFC BJJ,” White said. “100%.”
And he’s not bluffing. Zuck, a Meta board member like Dana, started training during the pandemic and has been steadily building a solid reputation on the mats, having rolled with the likes of Alex Volkanovski, Israel Adesanya, and Mikey Musumeci.
???? Zuck even took home medals in a local BJJ tournament back in 2023.
So while he might not headline UFC BJJ 1, the door is clearly wide open for him down the line.
Hollywood’s Hidden BJJ Obsession
Zuckerberg isn’t the only celebrity flexing his jiu-jitsu belt these days.
Tom Hardy, known for gritty roles in Venom, The Dark Knight Rises, and Warrior, is a regular fixture at UK grappling tournaments, where he’s quietly racked up multiple wins. He’s serious, humble, and widely respected in the BJJ community.
“Tom’s a killer. He walks in, competes like everyone else, no special treatment,” said one tournament insider.
Mario Lopez, everyone’s favorite high school heartthrob turned TV host, is also a BJJ black belt and a familiar face at Southern California competitions, often rolling with world-class coaches and participating in open mats around the country.
Could They Really Compete in UFC BJJ? Dana Says: YES
While UFC BJJ 1 is set to feature world champions like Mikey Musumeci and Rerisson Gabriel, Dana says the organization is built to **welcome high-level practitioners from anywhere—even Hollywood—**as long as they can bring the skills.
“There are many actors that are really good jiu-jitsu guys that nobody knows about,” Dana teased. “If they can compete at that level, they’re welcome.”
Translation? Fame doesn’t get you on the card—skill does.
What’s UFC BJJ All About?
UFC’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu division isn’t just a vanity side project—it’s a full-fledged competitive grappling league with belts, rankings, and real title fights.
UFC BJJ 1 kicks off on June 25 and features top-tier matchups, including:
- Mikey Musumeci vs. Rerisson Gabriel for the inaugural Bantamweight Championship
- A stacked undercard of international grappling stars
- A commitment to bringing jiu-jitsu to the mainstream
Claudia Gadelha, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt herself, called the league “a platform for global growth and inclusion.”
“Jiu-jitsu is for everyone. And this is just the beginning,” she said.
A New Era for Celebrity Sports Crossovers?
We’ve seen Jake Paul box, Logan Paul wrestle, and Machine Gun Kelly nearly get into an MMA cage… but UFC BJJ may be the most authentic crossover to date—rooted not in clout-chasing, but real passion for the sport.
And fans seem to be here for it.
???? “Zuck vs. Hardy in UFC BJJ?? I’d pay good money for that.”
???? “Dana’s a genius. This is how you mainstream grappling.”
???? “I don’t even watch jiu-jitsu, but now I’m hooked.”
The hype is real—and it’s only growing.
Where to Watch UFC BJJ
- “UFC BJJ: Road to the Title” airs Mondays on UFC’s official YouTube channel
- UFC BJJ 1 premieres Wednesday, June 25 with live fight coverage and commentary
Expect celebrity cameos, elite matchups, and high-stakes submission warfare.
Final Word: The UFC Just Got Way More Hollywood
Dana White’s new BJJ league isn’t just about belts and armbars—it’s about breaking barriers, building stars, and bringing martial arts to a global audience.
And if that includes Zuckerberg in a gi, Hardy pulling guard, or Mario Lopez hitting a triangle choke—you better believe people are watching.
???? What Do You Think?
Would you watch Tom Hardy or Zuckerberg compete in UFC BJJ? Who should join next—Jason Momoa? Joe Rogan?
Drop your dream matchups below and tag your favorite celeb black belts!
???? Stay tuned to TPR for exclusive coverage of UFC BJJ, celeb fight news, and everything brewing on and off the mats.
