Famous people running for office isn’t new. Conor McGregor, arguably one of the UFC's biggest names, even took a swing at Ireland’s presidential race recently. And now there’s the UFC event at the White House, which puts fighters in the same rooms as political players.
This got us wondering: which UFC athletes could actually make the jump from the octagon to a ballot? And could any of them end up at the White House in a different role one day?
We looked at three things to rank electability: social media reach, estimated net worth, and public sentiment.
Key Takeaways
- Conor McGregor ranks as the most electable UFC fighter.
- His case is helped by the largest social following and the highest estimated net worth among UFC fighters, $200,000,000.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov and Shara Magomedov come in second and third, each with sizable followings.
- While Alexander Volkanovski didn't make the cut, consider him Mr. Congeniality. He had a positive sentiment of 70.25.
- Of the top 10, Shavkat Rakhmonov has the highest positive sentiment at 60.
- Colby Covington rates as the least electable UFC fighter, followed by Rose Namajunas and Tim Kennedy.
- Colby Covington also has the highest negative sentiment score, 62.03, reflecting very unfavorable public perception.
The Most Electable UFC Fighters
| Rank | Name | Electability Score (0-100) | Followers | Estimated Net Worth | Positive Sentiment (From Reddit) |
| 1 | Conor McGregor | 70.77 | 46,554,425 | $200,000,000 | 43.56 |
| 2 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | 41.33 | 40,478,127 | $40,000,000 | 47.13 |
| 3 | Shara Magomedov | 31.89 | 2,100,442 | N/A | 37.88 |
| 4 | Jack Della Maddalena | 28.43 | 304,384 | $300,000 | 54.96 |
| 5 | Ronda Rousey | 25.9 | 17,040,843 | $14,000,000 | 46.76 |
| 6 | Anderson Silva | 24.06 | 5,227,423 | $14,000,000 | 42.05 |
| 7 | Islam Makhachev | 24 | 10,884,014 | $6,000,000 | 51.11 |
| 8 | Shavkat Rakhmonov | 22.16 | 1,828,023 | $4,000,000 | 60 |
| 9 | Ilia Topuria | 21.35 | 11,288,036 | $2,000,000 | 45.41 |
| 10 | Khamzat Chimaev | 20.98 | 10,885,159 | $4,000,000 | 49.55 |
Conor McGregor: “Notorious Leadership: Bold Moves for a Better Tomorrow”
With 46.5 million followers and an estimated $200,000,000 net worth, McGregor sits at the top with a 70.77 electability score. The reach is unmatched, and the name recognition does a lot of heavy lifting.
Though his first shot at Ireland’s presidency didn’t go anywhere, plenty of politicians miss before they land one, and it's important to remember that positive sentiment sits at 43.56.
If elected, he’d push The Proper Payday Act, a proposal to encourage entrepreneurship with tax incentives while setting fairer pay standards for professional fighters.
Khabib Nurmagomedov: “Discipline and Integrity: Building a Stronger Nation”
Khabib brings more than 40 million followers, an estimated $40,000,000 net worth, and a 41.33 electability score. The profile is steady, built on discipline and a clean public image, with positive sentiment at 47.13.
If elected, he’d back The Strong Roots Initiative, a plan to fund youth sports and health programs through government support and local community involvement.
Shara Magomedov: “Bulletproof Vision: Shooting Straight for Progress”
Shara reads like a rising name here. A 31.89 electability score, 2,100,442 followers, positive sentiment at 37.88, and an 18.36% interaction rate point to real traction. Estimated net worth isn’t available, which is fine for a newer public figure.
If elected, he’d back the Digital Empowerment Effort, a policy focused on digital literacy and youth entrepreneurship so kids can actually use tech to build something.
Jack Della Maddalena: “Your Voice, Our Fight: Together for the Common Good”
Jack posts a 28.43 electability score with 304,384 followers, an estimated net worth of $300,000, and positive sentiment at 54.96. The profile reads like a grounded one with room to grow.
If elected, he’d lead the Community Connect Program, an initiative to upgrade local rec facilities and improve access so more people can actually use them.
Ronda Rousey: “Trailblazing Equality: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures”
Rousey lands a 25.9 electability score backed by 17,040,843 followers and an estimated net worth of $14,000,000. Public sentiment is solid at 46.76. The equity angle tracks with how most fans already see her.
If elected, she’d push the Equal Play Act, a proposal for equal funding and resources in women’s athletics at every level.
Anderson Silva: “Weaving Strength Through Unity: A New Silk Road to Success”
Silva still carries real weight beyond the cage. He posts a 24.06 electability score, 5,227,423 followers, and an estimated net worth of $14,000,000. Positive sentiment is 42.05.
If elected, he’d promote the Sports Diplomacy Pact, a policy built around international sports exchange programs to drive cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
Islam Makhachev: “Steadfast Progress: Educate, Empower, Elevate”
Makhachev sits at a 24 electability score with 10,884,014 followers and an estimated net worth of $6,000,000. Positive sentiment is 51.11.
If elected, he’d start the Vocational Vision Plan, aimed at strengthening education and vocational training with clear career paths in sports, health, and wellness.
Shavkat Rakhmonov: "Commitment to Excellence: Leading with Integrity"
With a 22.16 electability score, Shavkat Rakhmonov's has a sizeable platform. What truly sets Shavkat apart is strong likability, with a positive sentiment of 60.
If elected, he’d advocate for the Excellence in Education Act, pushing for comprehensive educational reforms that promote integrity and personal growth.
Ilia Topuria: “Youthful Energy, Unyielding Spirit: Leading with Passion”
Topuria posts a 21.35 electability score, connects with 11,288,036 followers, and carries an estimated net worth of $2,000,000. Positive sentiment is 45.41. The appeal is the momentum and the undefeated aura fans know well.
If elected, he’d launch the Resilience and Growth Initiative, investing in youth programs that build resilience, leadership, and personal growth through sport.
Khamzat Chimaev: "Fearless Pursuit: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges"
Khamzat Chimaev’s 20.98 electability score positions him as a bold, transformative leader ready to make significant impacts. His position is strengthened by a positive sentiment of 49.55.
If elected, he’d forward the Bridge Builders Initiative, creating programs that break down barriers and build bridges through collaborative community efforts.
Least Electable UFC Fighters
Scroll it, spot the surprises, make your case in the group chat.
| Rank | Name | Electability Score (0-100) | Followers | Estimated Net Worth | Positive Sentiment |
| 1 | Colby Covington | 8.05 | 1,015,576 | $4,000,000 | 27.85 |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 9.93 | 2,233,601 | $2,000,000 | 28.57 |
| 3 | Tim Kennedy | 10.93 | 1,534,692 | $1,000,000 | 35.00 |
| 4 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 12.25 | 1,973,732 | $1,000,000 | 50.41 |
| 5 | Stipe Miocic | 12.41 | 1,788,726 | $4,000,000 | 40.91 |
| 6 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 12.45 | 2,009,672 | N/A | 45.92 |
| 7 | Michael Chandler | 12.5 | 2,232,690 | $5,000,000 | 43.62 |
| 8 | Cody Garbrandt | 12.51 | 2,720,620 | $1,000,000 | 41.56 |
| 9 | Petr Yan | 12.62 | 1,798,373 | $1,500,000 | 39.62 |
| 10 | Zhang Weili | 12.65 | 871,153 | $2,400,000 | 46.43 |
White House Victory
The White House card is still a question mark. Maybe some of these fighters appear, maybe none, maybe the whole thing fizzles. If a lineup actually gets announced, you’ll see markets on winners, likely some props, and Fanatics Sportsbook promos tied to the matchups. Until then, it’s wait and see.
Politics is a different weight class. Most of these athletes will never price as real candidates, and many are happy staying famous and very comfortable without filing papers. However, a few could take a real shot, McGregor included, because the name recognition and following are already built in, which gives their whole process a nice boost.
Methodology
We started wide, 105 fighters. How did someone make the pool? Current or former champs, more than 1 million Instagram followers, or just a big enough public profile to matter. Then we scored three buckets:
- Social media presence: Instagram followers and engagement, plus followers on X, formerly Twitter. Engagement figures came from Social Blade.
- Financial status: estimated net worth from Celebrity Net Worth. If that site did not list a figure, we used Sportskeeda and Wealthy Gorilla.
- Public sentiment: Reddit discussions, scored for positive, neutral, and negative.
Each factor was normalized from 0 to 1, weighted, then rolled up into an electability score from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the more electable. No secret sauce beyond that. Fighters with not enough online discussion were excluded due to small sample size.
Sources: Instagram, X, Social Blade, Celebrity Net Worth, Sportskeeds, Wealthy Gorilla.
You can see the full data here.
