The tech world was taken aback when Elon Musk challenged Mark Zuckerberg to a cage match on social media. Since then, Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has been working behind the scenes to make it a reality.

After receiving a text from Zuckerberg asking about Musk’s seriousness, White confirmed Musk’s willingness to participate. Zuckerberg’s response on Instagram, “Send Me Location,” fueled the excitement, and White has been in constant communication with both billionaires to organize the showdown.

Contrary to initial skepticism, the fight is no longer just a social media stunt. White, Musk, and Zuckerberg, with the help of advisers, have been in discussions, inching closer to making the match happen. While no guarantees have been made, the event is taking shape as an exhibition match, outside official UFC jurisdiction, and would involve a charity component. Las Vegas is the preferred location, pending approval from the Nevada Athletic Commission, although Musk has suggested the Roman Colosseum as an alternative venue.

Not all advisers and friends are equally enthusiastic about the idea. Some see it as a distraction from their responsibilities, but others believe it could be a unique spectacle in the tech industry. Despite their differences over the years, including public criticisms of each other’s ventures, the potential face-off between Musk, aged 52, and Zuckerberg, aged 39, promises to be a historic event in combat sports, even though they have never professionally fought and belong to different weight classes. As the negotiations continue, the tech world waits in anticipation to witness this unprecedented clash of titans.