Staff Reports
Mark Zuckerberg once again found himself in the limelight—and not just for pioneering the latest algorithm to track your every move online. This time, it was his slightly cringe-worthy walkout at UFC 298 that had social media buzzing with laughter and disbelief. The Meta overlord was cheering on Australian fighter Alex Volkanovski when what can only be described as a “robotic shimmy” caught everyone’s eyes, and the internet quickly turned into a meme factory.
In the video circulating on various platforms, Zuckerberg’s awkward bobbing and fidgeting made viewers question if he was really a tech giant or just a malfunctioning android attempting to blend in with the humans. One user cleverly captioned the video to resemble a family holiday scene, highlighting the absolute inability of Zuck to vibe with the casual atmosphere. One could only chuckle, imagining him trying to help with Christmas dinner, only to end up awkwardly waving his arms instead of slicing the turkey.
Even Elon Musk, who is typically embroiled in his own share of controversies, couldn’t resist poking fun at his tech rival with a laughing emoji response. Viewers chimed in, dubbing it the “most awkward walkout of 2024” and declaring Zuckerberg had been “trying so hard to be human.” As if there’s any doubt left—clearly, the man still has a few software updates to install for mastering basic social skills.
Amidst the relentless satire, there were a few empathetic voices amid the mockery. Some netizens expressed their support for Zuckerberg’s efforts to step out from behind his tech fortress and engage in the physicality of the UFC world, with a touch of admiration for his come-what-may attitude. Sure, a tech billionaire hanging out in UFC circles might seem like a square peg in a round hole—yet, he’s reportedly been putting in the work. His fitness journey includes training with UFC stars and even dabbling in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, where he racked up medals, a feat which raises the question—where’s the social finesse to go along with those physical gains?
It is noteworthy that while Zuckerberg is rebranding his image, his home life is not devoid of some comical pushback. His wife, Priscilla Chan, is less than enthused about the home octagon he built, clearly prioritizing their lawn over any potential scrap-fests in the backyard. Her curt but pointed response to Zuck’s excitement only highlights a classic spouse dynamic—one is keen to build while the other is wishing for some semblance of normalcy. Indeed, it appears that even billionaires find themselves in a tug-of-war over decorating choices.
'Trying So Hard to Be Human': Awkward Zuckerberg Goes Viral Trying to Fit In with UFC Team https://t.co/xnsBIgflmG
— Gordon Carrico, Jr. (@GordonCarrico) December 27, 2024
Beyond improving his physique and attempting to navigate social circles like a fish out of water, Zuckerberg also seems to be experimenting with a shift in his political positioning. Recently expressing admiration for Donald Trump following a dramatic incident involving an assassination attempt serves only to stir the pot further. With a relatively sizable donation to Trump’s inaugural fund and casual dinners at Mar-a-Lago, it might just be the case that the social media mogul is attempting a redemption arc that stretches into the political arena, much to the intrigue—or horror—of folks on both sides of the aisle.
Zuckerberg’s latest attempts to transform himself into the ultimate Silicon Valley Renaissance man have certainly generated plenty of conversations and laughs. As a figure who has weathered storms on various fronts, he continues to grab attention—not always for the right reasons. Whether he can shake off the robot persona and take on a more relatable role in society remains to be seen; until then, the internet will have a field day with his antics.
