Ari Emanuel wants to host UFC fights with Elon Musk’s Optimus robots
Ari Emanuel, the CEO of TKO Group Holdings, which oversees both the UFC and WWE, has recently proposed an intriguing idea: hosting UFC-style fights featuring Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots. This proposition emerged during his appearance on the podcast “Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy,” where he discussed the future of live events and his friendship with tech mogul Elon Musk. Emanuel expressed his admiration for Musk and the remarkable advancements he has witnessed in the development of the Optimus robot, particularly its ability to mimic human hand movements—an area Musk has described as an “incredibly difficult engineering challenge.” Emanuel’s excitement about the potential of these robots led him to suggest a unique event where these humanoid machines could compete in the ring, showcasing their advanced capabilities.
Emanuel’s vision includes a potential match between robots from different countries, such as American and Chinese models, which he believes would attract a global audience. He noted that Musk did not dismiss the idea and even demonstrated robots capable of executing punches and kicks. While Emanuel admits he lacks expertise in the technical aspects of AI and robotics, he is confident in his ability to create compelling live events and monetize them effectively. His recent leadership in merging UFC and WWE under Endeavor Group Holdings highlights his commitment to innovation in the entertainment industry. As the landscape of live events continues to evolve with the rise of AI-generated content, Emanuel’s enthusiasm for integrating cutting-edge technology into sports and entertainment could pave the way for a new era of competition, blending traditional athleticism with futuristic robotics.
Emanuel’s belief in Musk’s vision and capabilities is evident, as he stated, “If I’m a betting man, I’m betting on that dude.” This sentiment reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where live experiences are increasingly being prioritized over traditional media. As Emanuel explores the possibilities of combining AI and live events, the idea of humanoid robots engaging in combat could represent a bold new frontier, capturing the imagination of audiences worldwide and redefining the meaning of competition in the 21st century.
Ari Emanuel is the CEO of TKO Group Holdings.
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Ari Emanuel wants to host UFC fights featuring Elon Musk’s Optimus humanoid robots.
Emanuel floated the idea after witnessing the “unbelievable” progress of Optimus, which is still in development.
The TKO CEO said Musk showed him robots capable of punching and kicking.
The man behind some of the biggest televised fights ever wants to see humanoid robots in the ring next.
Ari Emanuel, the entertainment boss overseeing the WWE and UFC as CEO of TKO Group Holdings, went on the “Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy,” where he spoke about the future of live events. Emanuel was also asked about his
friendship with Elon Musk
.
“I believe in Elon Musk,” Emanuel said.
Emanuel said he’s seen the progress of Tesla’s
Optimus
humanoid robot firsthand. Specifically, its hand movements.
Musk has previously said that Tesla has spent a lot of effort trying to develop
human-like hands
for Optimus, calling it “an incredibly difficult engineering challenge.” Emanuel said the progress in hand movements between generations was “unbelievable.”
It also gave him an idea.
“I came up to him, and I said, ‘I want to do UFC fights with the robots,'” Emanuel said.
It doesn’t sound like Musk dismissed the thought. In fact, Emanuel said, the billionaire showed him robots that could throw punches and kicks. He floated the idea of a fight between Chinese and American robots, which podcast host and investor O’Shaughnessy said “everyone in the world would watch.”
Emanuel made it clear that he’s no expert in the algorithms and data centers that make AI possible, but he does know entertainment. He said he knows how to create “really great live events” and monetize them.
In 2023, he led the merger of the
WWE and UFC owner Endeavor Group Holdings
.
In a new era of AI-generated content, Emanuel is leaning hard into live experiences, like food and art festivals and sporting events. Still, he praised Musk for his work on the long list of innovative and AI-powered companies he leads.
“If I’m a betting man, I’m betting on that dude,” Emanuel said.
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