Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms has encountered a significant setback in his ambitious pursuit of competitive MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).

On Friday, Zuckerberg took to Instagram to announce that he had torn his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) during a sparring session and had undergone surgery to replace it.

The Facebook and Instagram CEO, renowned for his roles in shaping the social media landscape, shared a series of images from his hospital bed, displaying his left leg in a cast.

In one image, Zuckerberg raised his left fist defiantly, underscoring his unwavering determination to make a swift recovery.

His wife, Priscilla Chan, stood by his side, offering unwavering support and assistance.

The 39-year-old tech mogul disclosed that he had been diligently preparing for a competitive MMA fight scheduled for early next year, a passion he had cultivated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He wrote in the caption, "Tore my ACL sparring and just got out of surgery to replace it. Grateful for the doctors and team taking care of me."

Zuckerberg further added, "I was training for a competitive MMA fight early next year, but now that's delayed a bit. Still looking forward to doing it after I recover. Thanks to everyone for the love and support."

Despite the injury, he remains enthusiastic about the sport and is resolute in his commitment to pursue the fight once he has made a complete recovery.

In May, he shared his involvement in a jiu-jitsu tournament where he secured medals for the Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu team.

Subsequently, a lighthearted exchange with Tesla CEO Elon Musk on social media sparked speculation about a potential "cage match" between the two tech titans, capturing substantial attention and support.