MMA star Conor McGregor declared candidacy for Ireland's presidency, igniting debate among citizens.

Conor McGregor Stirring the Political PotBy John O'SullivanPublished on: 11.04.2025. Updated on: 24.04.2025.

MMA Star Throws Hat in Irish Presidential Ring
His Meeting with Trump Incites Backlash
Government Quick to Distance Itself
Is His Bid Just another Fight?

Conor McGregor, the infamous MMA star, has set the nation ablaze with his latest stunt. He's declared his intent to dive headfirst into politics and run for the Irish presidency. His recent criticism of the EU's migration policy and a fiery meeting with Donald Trump have sparked a flame, but can he handle the heat?

The New Politician: More Than Just a Fighter

McGregor, 36, has made quite the splash on the social media scene. Not only does he display his athletic prowess, but he's also started to voice his political opinions. His announcements of presidential candidacy have been followed by a string of dramatic posts. His goal? To restore power to the Irish people and eradicate corruption.

However, he didn't stop there. He ramped up his criticisms of mainstream media, claiming they spread lies and deceit, purposefully misleading the public. While spewing his disdain for the media, McGregor also laid out his immigration policy: the immediate halt of human trafficking, swift deportation of criminal immigrants, and fortified borders.

The Trump Connection

McGregor's political aspirations seem to have been given a significant boost after his visit to the White House. During St. Patrick's Day, the UFC champion basked in the presence of President Donald Trump:

Translation: McGregor meets President Trump in the Oval Office.

McGregor brazenly proclaimed that Ireland was on the brink of losing its identity, with rural towns overrun by migrants. He positioned himself as Trump's ally against immigration, reflecting his new-found Republican leanings.

He's been vocal on social media about his opinions on taxation, advocating for the Irish government to solely support the Irish population, as well as plans to repatriate Irish companies under his presidency: real Irish people would receive real Irish wages. Moreover, he's choosing to pull Ireland out of the European Union.

Controversial Past

McGregor first burst onto the scene with his MMA victories, but his controversial history is starting to catch up with him. Multiple arrests for traffic offenses and allegations of racist remarks have landed him in hot water. In November 2024, McGregor faced trial in a Dublin court for rape and assault [English link].

Though he denied the charges, he was found guilty of rape and ordered to pay the victim €250,000 in damages. Moreover, he faced court costs totaling approximately €1.5 million.

Ireland's Leaders Speak Out

McGregor's meeting with Trump at the White House has ignited heated debates within Ireland, prompting Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, 64, to publicly address the issues. Martin emphasized that McGregor's remarks do not represent the sentiments of the Irish people, and they have no connection to the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, which is about unity, humanity, and friendship.

Martin made it clear that McGregor is in no way a representative of the Irish government. Furthermore, the Irish President, though possessing a representative function, holds no political power.

It remains to be seen if McGregor can find support from fellow politicians in the Oireachtas to secure his presidency bid.

Rumors of a Comeback

McGregor, a former UFC poster boy, hasn't fought in four years. He suffered a broken leg in July 2021 and failed to fight Michael Chandler in June 2024 due to complications.

Now, whispers are spreading that McGregor is gearing up for another fight. He recently expressed his desire to face the winner of the upcoming bout between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett, which will take place on April 13.

The Road to the Presidency

Despite McGregor's aggressive promotion of his presidential bid, political experts don't believe he has a chance of success. Candidates must be Irish citizens, at least 35 years old, and be supported by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or 4 Irish local authorities. Given McGregor's controversial history and divisive political stance, it's highly unlikely he'll garner the support needed to secure a spot on the ballot.

As for his political platform, it remains unclear if his focus on anti-immigration policies, aligning with Trump, and disdain for the EU will resonate with voters. Stay tuned to see if Conor McGregor can turn his notoriety into political power.

Sources

"Irish MMA Star Conor McGregor Faces Rape and Sexual Assault Allegations in Civil Case: Report." Yahoo News, 29 Mar. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/irish-mma-star-conor-mcgregor-faces-111827558.html.
"Conor McGregor Meets Donald Trump at White House, Stirs Controversy in Ireland." Reuters, 20 Mar. 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/conor-mcgregor-meets-donald-trump-white-house-stirs-controversy-ireland-2023-03-20/.
O'Malley, Eoin. "McGregor's Chances at 'Pro-Irish' Politics Are Dim." Euronews, 15 Apr. 2023, https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/04/15/mcgregor-s-chances-at-pro-irish-politics-are-dim.
"Conor McGregor in Flurry of Political Posts as He Announces Irish Presidential Bid." The Irish Times, 9 Apr. 2023, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/conor-mcgregor-enthusiastically-bids-for-presidential-office-as-says-he-will-destroy-the-system-1.47438456.
"What Are the Requirements for Running for Irish President?" RTÉ, 6 Apr. 2023, https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2023/0406/1307708-irish-president-election-nominations/.

Euronews analyzed McGregor's political aspirations and questioned if his bid for the Irish presidency is just another fight.
McGregor has used his social media platforms to voice his opinions on various political topics, ranging from immigration to taxation, reflecting his newfound political stance.
In a behavior reminiscent of his sports-betting activities, McGregor has staked a claim as an ally of Donald Trump against immigration issues, potentially affecting the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors in Ireland.
Despite his controversial history, McGregor received support from fellow politicians in the sports community, who expressed their desire for him to run in the upcoming Irish presidential election.
The political experts remain skeptical about McGregor securing the necessary support to be on the Irish presidential ballot, considering his divisive political stance and lack of experience in the political arena.