Former Irish mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor has announced he is dropping his candidacy for the Irish presidential election, claiming the entire process was “fixed”.
McGregor, also an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) icon, recently started criticising migration policies in Ireland. As his sporting star began to fade, he became increasingly outspoken and started to venture into party politics.
Buoyed by his close ties with US President Donald Trump and other Conservatives in the US, he felt confident enough to consider a run in the Irish elections. He has now, though, decided against it.
In a post on social media published today, McGregor said: “I recently announced my sincere and genuine intentions of running for the office of Uachtaráin na hÉireann [president of Ireland].”
“I am a very passionate Gael and take great pride in our country. ”
Despite the positive feedback he claimed to have received by many people, he said: “Ireland has drastically changed in recent years”.
The Irishman said the country “is constrained by the straitjacket of an outdated Constitution that is selectively upheld by the main Oireachtas [parliament] parties, and exploited to prevent a true democratic presidential election being contested, but rather fixed to ensure only establishment-approved candidates may be selected on the ballot”.
“This democratic deficit against the will of the Irish people has now been successfully magnified by my expression of interest,” he said.
“Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race.”
McGregor promised to continue to be politically engaged. “The tide of change has begun, and it cannot be turned back,” emphasising it was “a marathon, not a sprint,” he said.
Today marked the deadline for independent candidates to enter the presidential election and is described as a “super primary”, with 11 councils scheduled to hold special meetings to consider nominations.
To qualify, prospective candidates must secure the backing of either 20 Oireachtas members (MPs) or four local authorities, but McGregor had not received any expressions of support from MPs or county councils, making it highly unlikely that he would secure a nomination.
While he has not formally “quit” the UFC, McGregor has been inactive for more than four years amid repeated fight postponements, injuries and a string of controversies.
Since 2021, his civilian life has been marked by physical altercations, arrests, lawsuits and public backlash, often tied to his allegedly aggressive persona, business ventures and personal behaviour.
According to the BBC, he was found liable in a civil case for sexual assault against Nikita Hand, a decision upheld by the Irish Court of Appeal in July 2025. He had previously been convicted of a lesser charge of assault for punching a man in a Dublin pub in 2019, for which he paid a fine.
Despite that, McGregor has a worldwide following and in Ireland he appears to remain popular with the public, if not among politicians and journalists.
In April, Dublin’s mayoral election plans were cancelled by the Irish Government because, according to local reports, McGregor might have won.
Muintir na hÉireann, a chairde Ghaeil,
I recently announced my sincere and genuine intentions of running for the office of Uachtaráin na hÉireann.
I am a very passionate Gael and take great pride in our Country.
I have demonstrated this fighting Irish spirit on a world stage…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 15, 2025
