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We live in a timeline where the possibility of Conor McGregor becoming the president of Ireland would have made almost too much sense. However, it doesn’t look like it’s in the cards now that the former UFC superstar has shared an update on the status of his campaign.
It’s been more than four years since Conor McGregor stepped into the Octagon for the second of the two losses he suffered at the hands of Dustin Poirier in 2021. At this point, it’s unclear if we’ll see him fight again, and while there would undoubtedly be plenty of interest if he mounted a comeback, it’s pretty clear the 37-year-old’s best days are behind him.
It’s only natural that McGregor would start to think about what he wants to do with his life after he officially sets down his gloves, and earlier this year, he announced he was throwing his hat into the political arena when he announced he was officially running to become the next president of Ireland.
The election for that post is slated to take place at the end of October after Michael Higgins, the man who has served as the nation’s “Uachtarán” since 2011, steps down from the role. However, he will not be replaced by the controversial fighter who was unable to clear the hurdle needed to get his name on the ballot in the first place.
Conor McGregor is waving the white flag after failing to get the backing needed to officially run for the president of Ireland
McGregor initially teased his presidential aspirations in 2024, and at the time, it seemed like any potential run was essentially over before it began.
He may be one of the most notable names the UFC has ever produced, but he’s not exactly a beloved figure in his native country; one poll that was conducted around a year ago said 89% of people in Ireland wouldn’t vote for him if he ran for any political office.
McGregor, who built the campaign he officially announced in March around anti-immigration rhetoric, also faced a major hurdle when it came to becoming a candidate in the first place. Under Irish law, you must be endorsed by 20 members of parliament or four of the 31 county or city councils, and it’s safe to say established politicians were not shoving each other out of the way to throw their support behind him (he mounted a largely toothless push to change those requirements earlier this year).
The sun had not yet risen in Ireland on Monday morning when McGregor sent out a lengthy tweet acknowledging the reality that had become impossible to ignore, saying, “Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race.”
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
As things currently stand, Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin, and Heather Humphreys are the three candidates who have secured the requisite endorsements to become the next president of Ireland (which is a largely ceremonial role despite the changes McGregor pledged to enact if he were elected).
We’ll learn who ends up replacing Higgins after the election is held on October 24th.