Mark Zuckerberg and Dana White plan to use AI to take over the UFC rankings

Mark Zuckerberg has been busy. Ongoing tasks at Meta, BJJ tournaments and MMA training are among his to-do lists. Now the tech mogul can add a UFC rankings consultant to his schedule.

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In an interview with TNT Sports, UFC CEO Dana White says he turned to Mark Zuckerberg to improve the rankings.

“I actually talked to Mark Zuckerberg about AI,” Dana White said. The change would replace the current system, which consists of a media voting board.

While White didn’t provide specifics on what the AI-powered overhaul would look like, he said there will be “some answers to that soon.”

However, he shared more of his frustration with the responsible committee. “You know the ranking system drives me crazy. From pound to pound to every division, you know there are big mistakes,” White said.

In recent weeks, White has become increasingly vocal about his perceived problems with the rankings. At a media scrum last week, he didn’t hold back.

“I can’t deal with incompetence. I can’t take it anymore. It’s driving me crazy. And I can’t let people who I don’t think know what the hell they’re talking about bother with the rankings anymore. I just can’t do it. I have to find a solution,” promised White. “The media will no longer control the rankings in the UFC.”

Mark Zuckerberg: From cornerman to corner office

Zuckerberg has become an increasingly prominent presence in MMA in recent years. In 2022, the former Harvard University student was given a private showcase at the Apex Center for a Fight Night card.

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As a BJJ white belt under former American Kickboxing Academy coach Dave Camarillo, Zuckerberg competed in gi and no-gi competitions. He was later awarded the blue belt.

An alleged exhibition MMA fight with fellow tech billionaire Elon Musk became a major topic of conversation in 2023. White offered his advertising power to the duel and even began selling related merchandise until talks collapsed.

Zuckerberg, a frequent visitor to the cage, was also part of Alexander Volkanovski’s corner at UFC 298.

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