Irish mixed martial arts figure Conor McGregor announces bid for Ireland's presidency.
Rewritten Article
Title: Conor McGregor - From Octagon Star to Presidential HopefulBy: Luke SullivanPublished: 14.04.2025; Updated: 21.04.2025
MMA Champion Aims for Irish Presidential Seat
Conor McGregor, a renowned MMA fighter, has made a shocking announcement - he's running for Irish President. The whiskey mogul's declaration follows a social media post, lambasting EU immigration policies [Eng. link].
Despite scant details on his plans, McGregor believes he can restore power to the Irish people and combat corruption [Eng. link]. He's also vocal about fighting mainstream media, sowing distrust in news corporations. Fueling his ambition is McGregor's recent visit to the White House [Eng. link], where he met with President Trump and slammed immigration policies.
McGregor is no stranger to political discussions on social media. He advocates for Irish money being spent exclusively on citizens, returning Irish companies to Irish ownership, EU exit, and stricter border control.
From Glory in the Octagon to Courtroom Drama
McGregor's rise from MMA sensation to controversial figure began when he faced charges of rape and bodily harm in a Dublin court in November 2024 [Eng. link]. To the surprise of many, the court found him guilty, ordering him to pay €250,000 in damages to the victim plus €1.5 million in court costs.
Irish Government Dissociates Itself from McGregor's Views
McGregor's Washington trip caused quite a stir in Ireland, leading Prime Minister Micheál Martin to publicly condemn McGregor's statements [Eng. link]. According to Martin, McGregor's views do not represent the beliefs of the Irish people, and his comments are not in keeping with the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.
It should be noted that the Irish President holds a primarily ceremonial role, lacking the authority to enforce policies or make decisions.
Can McGregor Secure Enough Support?
McGregor's antics stole the spotlight in UFC, but his popularity within Ireland may not be enough for a presidential run. Despite his widespread fame, experts find it highly improbable that he'll secure the necessary support from the Irish Parliament or local councils [Eng. link]. Experts like Eoin O'Malley, a professor of political science at Dublin City University, suggest that McGregor is vastly undervalued in Ireland's political sphere [Eng. link].
With the Irish presidential election scheduled for October 27, 2025, the clock is ticking for McGregor to convince conservative members of the Irish government to back his campaign.
What's Next for "The Notorious" McGregor?
Despite a broken leg in 2021, McGregor aims for a comeback in the UFC [Eng. video]. However, his anticipated bout with Michael Chandler never came to pass. With recent whispers about McGregor's return to the ring [Eng. link], it's unclear if he'll focus on politics or MMA.
In a twist, McGregor has expressed interest in fighting the victor of the upcoming fight between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett, set for April 13 [Eng. link].
In this ever-evolving saga, only time will tell whether Conor McGregor will succeed in making a serious impact in the political arena. The world watches on with bated breath to see if he can transcend the octagon and conquer Irish politics.
- When asked about his political stance regarding EU immigration policies, Conor McGregor, the Irish MMA fighter and presidential hopeful, emphasized his disapproval, as reported by Euronews.
- Following his meeting with President Trump at the White House, McGregor received renewed attention in crime-and-justice and general-news sections of various media outlets, including sports-analysis programs.
- In a surprising turn of events,even as the general populace debates McGregor's fitness for Irish politics, experts like Eoin O'Malley, a professor of political science at Dublin City University, have highlighted his undervalued potential in Ireland's political sphere.
- As speculation swirls about McGregor's future plans, he has been vocal about his desire to fight in both the ring and politics, with upcoming MMA matches and conversations on Irish politics consistently making headlines.
- In what could potentially be his next move, McGregor has expressed interest in challenging the winner of the upcoming fight between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett, teasing a potential fusion of sports and politics in an unprecedented manner.
