Action Network surveyed over 2,000 UFC fans, who revealed some surprising opinions about the fighters they think they can take on, the celebrity battles they’d love to see, and even the animals they believe they could defeat in a fight.
Here's a breakdown of the results, which provide an intriguing glimpse into the mindset of UFC fans.
McGregor Is the Most ‘Beatable’ Fighter, According to Fans
When asked which male UFC fighter they think they could beat in a fight, 16% of fans had the confidence (or hubris) to say they could take on Conor McGregor. Known for his trash-talking and charisma, McGregor’s polarizing personality may have contributed to him topping the list of fighters fans feel they could defeat.
Coming in behind McGregor were UFC champions like Sean O'Malley and Jon Jones, each earning 10% of the vote. Despite their elite status, some fans seem to believe they have a fighting chance. O'Malley was seen as the most beatable fighter among younger fans, with those aged 18-24 picking him over other contenders.
On the women’s side, Kayla Harrison and Natalia Silva tied as the most beatable, with 12% of fans believing they could take them in a fight. Julianna Peña, Alexa Grasso, and Jéssica Andrade followed suit, all earning 11% of the vote.
Celebrity Fight Fans Are Dying to See: Musk vs. Zuckerberg
It’s no secret that UFC fans love a good spectacle, and when it comes to celebrity matchups, there’s one bout that stands head and shoulders above the rest. A whopping 22% of fans said they want to see Elon Musk square off against Mark Zuckerberg in the octagon. The tech titans have teased a potential fight on social media, and UFC fans are clearly intrigued by the possibility.
| Celebrity Fight | Demand |
| Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg | 22% |
| Trump vs Biden | 19% |
| Kendrick Lamar vs Drake | 16% |
| Bobby Flay vs Gordon Ramsey | 9% |
| Justin Trudeau vs Donald Trump | 7% |
| Logan Paul vs Jake Paul | 7% |
| Jay Z vs Lil Wayne | 6% |
| Charlie XCX vs Taylor Swift | 5% |
| Eddy Hearn vs Dana White | 2% |
| Sabrina Carpenter vs Camila Cabello | 2% |
| Tyreek Hill vs Noah Lyles | 2% |
| Liam Gallagher vs Noel Gallagher | 1% |
Another anticipated showdown is a battle of the U.S. political heavyweights — Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden. This fight garnered 19% of the vote, with Trump (famously born in New York) edging out Biden as the predicted winner. Fans also expressed interest in seeing musical rivals Kendrick Lamar and Drake duke it out, with Lamar winning 16% of the vote.
Other notable celebrity matchups included Bobby Flay vs. Gordon Ramsay (9%), Logan Paul vs. Jake Paul (7%), and Jay-Z vs. Lil Wayne (6%). Notably, there’s less demand for a showdown between the Paul brothers (natives of Ohio). It’s clear that UFC fans have a broad imagination when it comes to who they’d like to see step into the cage.
Celebrity Fight (Winner By Vote)
Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg
Winner: Elon Musk
Trump vs Biden
Winner: Donald Trump
Kendrick Lamar vs Drake
Winner: Kendrick Lamar
Bobby Flay vs Gordon Ramsey
Winner: Gordon Ramsey
Justin Trudeau vs Donald Trump
Winner: Justin Trudeau
How Long Could You Last in the Octagon?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, most UFC fans aren’t overly confident about their chances of surviving a fight against a professional fighter. Nearly half of the respondents (49%) admitted they wouldn’t last even one round in the octagon. However, a bold 5% claimed they could go the distance and last all five rounds in a UFC fight.
Age played a role in these responses, with younger fans showing a bit more optimism. Among 18-24-year-olds, 20% believed they could last at least two rounds, compared to 15% of 35-44-year-old respondents who expressed the same confidence.
Fans Think They Could Beat an Alligator Before an Elk
In one of the more unusual questions, fans were asked which animals they think they could defeat in a fight. The results were both entertaining and perplexing. A surprising 6% of respondents believe they could beat an alligator, with more fans confident about their chances against the formidable beast than an elk (4%).
Smaller animals, like cats (57%) and possums (32%), were naturally seen as easier opponents.
Interestingly, fans believe that a sheep (36%) is easier to beat in a fight than a raccoon (29%).
Methodology
The research was commissioned by the Action Network and carried out online by Research Without Barriers (RWB). The survey was conducted between Sept.13-Sept. 19, 2024, and the sample comprised 2,118 USA UFC/MMA fans.
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You can find the full breakdown of results here.
All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2023) in the UK and the ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. RWB is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and fully complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (2018).
