Conor McGregor has officially ended his attempt to enter next month’s Irish presidential election, just hours before he was due to address Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council in pursuit of vital nominations.
The 37-year-old former UFC champion announced his withdrawal in a post on X, writing that the decision came after “careful reflection” and consultation with his family. He added that although the choice was not easy, it was ultimately “the right one at this moment in time.”
Ireland heads to the polls on 24 October, with three candidates already confirmed for the ballot. Under current rules, a presidential hopeful must either secure backing from 20 members of parliament or four of the country’s 31 local authorities. McGregor had struggled to gain traction with either route.
Criticism of the Electoral System
While stepping aside, McGregor made it clear he was unhappy with Ireland’s nomination process, branding the eligibility rules a “straitjacket” that prevented a genuinely open and democratic election.
I want to assure the people of Ireland that this will not be my last election, he wrote. You will see me canvassing again in the future, fighting for your rights and representing the best interests of our nation.
For months, McGregor had leveraged his massive social media following to campaign for support, even urging people to lobby councillors on his behalf. However, his absence from council meetings where prospective candidates could present themselves raised questions about how serious he was about fully committing to the race.
Political Standing and Legal Controversies
Despite his popularity as one of Ireland’s most recognizable athletes, McGregor faced an uphill battle in establishing credibility as a political figure. A Sunday Independent poll earlier this year suggested only 7 percent of respondents would have voted for him.
Compounding the skepticism were his legal troubles. In November 2024, McGregor lost a civil jury appeal and was ordered to pay £206,000 in damages plus costs after being found liable for a 2018 sexual assault in Dublin. He has denied the allegation but the ruling has lingered over his public image.
Several politicians in Ireland had already dismissed his candidacy as unrealistic, pointing to his legal issues as proof he was unfit for the presidency.
What’s Next for Conor McGregor?
Conor McGregor has been absent from the UFC since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in a defeat to Dustin Poirier. Although sidelined in the cage, he has teased a return, expressing interest in competing at a planned UFC event at the White House in 2026.
For now, his presidential ambitions are paused, but his statement suggests he views this attempt as a first step rather than a failed one. Whether Ireland will take his political aspirations seriously in the future remains an open question.
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