Irish mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor withdraws from the country's presidential election race
In a surprising turn of events, former UFC champion Conor McGregor has announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy for the Irish presidential election. The announcement comes after a series of controversies and legal issues that have plagued the mixed martial arts star's political journey.
McGregor's candidacy was met with a 'democratic deficit against the will of the Irish people,' according to his statement. Despite his popularity with the public, McGregor failed to secure the backing of any Oireachtas members (MPs) or local authorities, making it highly unlikely that he would secure a nomination.
McGregor's sporting career has been on a hiatus for over four years due to repeated fight postponements, injuries, and controversies. As his star began to fade, McGregor became increasingly outspoken and ventured into party politics. He identifies as a passionate Gael and takes pride in Ireland, demonstrating this through his fighting spirit on a world stage.
However, McGregor's political engagement has been marred by legal issues and controversies. In 2019, he was convicted of a lesser charge of assault for punching a man in a Dublin pub. In 2025, he was found liable in a civil case for sexual assault against Nikita Hand, a decision upheld by the Irish Court of Appeal. Since 2021, McGregor has been involved in physical altercations, arrests, lawsuits, and public backlash, often tied to his allegedly aggressive persona, business ventures, and personal behavior.
Despite these controversies, McGregor remained popular with the public in Ireland, but not with politicians and journalists. His candidacy even prompted the cancellation of Dublin's mayoral election plans in April 2025 due to concerns that McGregor might win.
In his statement, McGregor described the tide of change as a 'marathon, not a sprint.' He promised to continue to be politically engaged and even started criticising migration policies in Ireland. However, the controversies surrounding his candidacy seemed to have taken a toll, leading to his decision to withdraw.
Today marked a 'super primary' with 11 councils scheduled to hold special meetings to consider nominations. With McGregor out of the race, the focus now shifts to the remaining candidates and their visions for Ireland's future.
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