URGENT UPDATE: Conor McGregor has officially withdrawn his candidacy for Ireland’s presidential election, branding the electoral process as undemocratic. The former UFC champion’s announcement comes just weeks before the election scheduled for October, where he faced significant hurdles in securing nominations from 20 members of parliament or four local authorities.
McGregor, 37, had aimed to leverage his vast social media following and support from high-profile figures like Elon Musk to propel his campaign. However, he confirmed on Sunday that he would discontinue these efforts, stating, “I want to assure the people of Ireland that this will not be my last election.” He pledged to continue advocating for the rights of Irish citizens in future electoral endeavors.
Despite his popularity online, McGregor’s standing as a viable political candidate is under scrutiny. A recent poll conducted by the Sunday Independent revealed that only 7% of respondents would have voted for him, highlighting a disconnect between his celebrity status and political viability.
This withdrawal follows serious legal challenges for McGregor, including being found liable in a 2018 sexual assault case linked to an incident in a Dublin hotel. These controversies have cast a shadow over his political aspirations and public perception in Ireland.
McGregor has not stepped into the UFC octagon since suffering a broken leg in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021. He has expressed intentions to return to fighting, specifically eyeing a matchup at a planned UFC event at the U.S. White House in summer 2026.
As McGregor withdraws from the presidential race, all eyes will be on how this impacts his future political ambitions and public life in Ireland. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
