Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg coached Merab Dvalishvili from the cageside, says victor
Professional MMA artist Merab Dvalishvili recounted his relationship with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg before and during UFC 298, revealing that the Jiujitsu practitioner helped him from the corner during his bout with Henry Cejudo.
Dvalishvili enjoyed a good time with Zuckerberg while choking Cejudo during one of the rounds, which might have cost him earlier victory.
During the post-match press conference, Dvalishvili said the following:
‘Mark Zuckerberg, we became friends on social media. He’s been supporting me and we send positive messages to each other.
‘He did text me a couple of days ago that he would be at the fights but he told me don’t tell no one. I (kept it) a secret, of course. I know he was there and as soon as I go there, I saw him and I say, “Hi… good to see you in person.”
‘During the rounds, he was telling me times, ”30 seconds left.” He was coaching me. He was my fourth corner tonight.
‘So it’s just conversation and then when I got (Cejudo) in the choke, the choke was tight but I got too excited. I was looking at Mark Zuckerberg and I had too much fun.
‘Maybe I should (have focused on the) finish. You know, I’m just a fighter, I’m free, that’s what you do, that was a fun, good, positive conversation.’
By beating Henry Cejudo, the Georgian fit himself for a title fight come UFC 299.