Conor McGregor withdraws, no longer running for President of Ireland
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has withdrawn as a candidate for President of Ireland. The mixed martial arts star made the announcement on social media.
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
“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 and placed us rightly at the
top table.
I have been truly humbled by the support and encouragement I have received
canvassing the length and breadth of our great Island meeting and speaking with
the ‘forgotten Irish’ who feel abandoned and ignored by Establishment woke politics.
I travelled to New York last Wednesday, a home to many Irish who followed their
dreams in pursuit of happiness, to rightfully commemorate the tragic terror attacks
of 9/11 and discuss my aspirations for Ireland with the US Administration. I
remain in America and will attend to imminent unforeseen meetings that will
translate to Irish jobs.
Ireland has drastically changed in recent years, however, is constraint by the straitjacket of an outdated Constitution that is selectively upheld by the main Oireachtas parties, and exploited to prevent a true democratic Presidential election being contested, but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.
In a very short period, I have catalysed a mobilisation for positive change in
Ireland against a malevolent political witch-hunt working together with the mainstream media supercharged Fake News.
There is now a very visible and vocal movement of Irish Patriots reverting to our cultural and historical origins seeking
to maintain and protect our way of life as Irish – to them I salute you.
The current has changed and this tide cannot be held back!
Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race.
This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.
While I will not contest this election, my commitment to Ireland does not end here.
I will continue to serve my people by using my international platform to promote
Irish interests abroad, to strengthen our economic opportunities, and to advocate
for transparency and responsibility in public life at home.
This campaign has sparked an important conversation about democracy in Ireland
about who gets to stand, who gets to choose, and how we can ensure that the
presidency truly belongs to the people. That conversation will not end with my withdrawal.
The tide of change has begun, and it cannot be turned back.
My first venture into politics, and although I have chosen to withdraw this round, meaningful progress has been made.
I want to assure the people of Ireland that this will not be my last election. You will see me canvassing again in the future, fighting for your rights and representing the best interests of our nation.
This is not the end, but the beginning of my political journey. I am driven by a commitment to improve lives, defend rights, and serve the Irish people with dedication and integrity.
I will continue to serve my people on the global stage lobbying for Ireland’s best
interest’s socially and economically – of that there is no doubt.
This is a marathon. Not a sprint!
Ar aghaidh linn le Chéile!
Is mise le dhea mheas, i gcónaí agus go deo,
Conchúir Mac Gréagóir”
Conor McGregor was among a number of prospective candidates who were due to address county councils on Monday. The 37-year-old fighter was to speak to officials of the Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council, where he was seeking to secure the nominations needed for his name to be on the ballot.
McGregor recently met with U.S. political officials to include the President of the United States. He also had the backing of Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and owner of social media platform, X.
Ireland will head to the polls on 24 October, with three candidates so far having secured the backing needed from Irish lawmakers or local authorities to stand in the race.
