With the elections just around the corner, Conor McGregor has decided to bow out of the presidential race in Ireland. The UFC icon shocked supporters on Monday with a post on X, writing: “Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race.” ‘The Notorious’ had built early momentum by promising to curb immigration to protect “Irish culture” and give power “back to the people.”

Fueled by millions of followers, Conor McGregor tried to turn star power into political firepower. But the fight was uphill from the start. Irish law demands 20 MPs or four local councils to secure a nomination, and analysts said he had little chance of hitting that mark. The backlash was just as fierce. Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris didn’t hold back, blasting McGregor as someone who “represents the very worst of us.” It was a cutting line that showed just how polarizing his campaign had become.

Conor McGregor breaks silence as fresh challenger shakes up Ireland’s 2024 presidential race

Conor McGregor has always lived in the eye of the storm. From lawsuits to late-night sucker punches, the UFC icon has never been far from controversy. His fiery takes on the 2023 Dublin riots and Ireland’s immigration policy only turned up the heat, putting him toe-to-toe with the ruling government. Now, however, the fight’s off. The Irishman stunned supporters by stepping away from the presidential race, signing off with two simple words( now deleted): “fair play.” With that, the spotlight shifted.

Into that spotlight stepped Jim Gavin. The former Dublin boss has quickly emerged as the people’s pick to carry the torch Conor McGregor dropped. In a recent conversation with the Irish Mirror, Gavin leaned into his roots, pointing to his “rural connection” while proudly branding himself a “proud Dub.” At the same time, he hammered home family values and community spirit while zeroing in on the struggles facing Ireland’s youth.

Gavin explained, “I was down at the market earlier today—met a lot of students on their lunch break and had a chat with them. That came up: what’s going to happen when they leave college, with rent being what it is? I also met two people who had just come back from Sydney and are considering going back again. So I just need to relate to them, listen to their story, and have those discussions—even brief ones—about the future of Ireland.”

That’s vintage Jim Gavin—connecting with people at ground level. But make no mistake, this isn’t just small talk. It’s a campaign style forged in the same discipline and leadership that’s defined his life. At 18, Gavin signed up for the Irish Defence Forces and trained in the Air Corps while playing Gaelic football for Round Towers. The mix of military precision and sporting grit shaped him early—. By 2012, he took over as Dublin senior manager and masterminded one of the most dominant runs Gaelic football has ever seen.

He racked up title after title and cemented his reputation as a quiet but ruthless leader. Off the pitch, Gavin carried that same edge into public life. In 2025, Fianna Fáil tapped him to enter the presidential race, and once again, he stepped into the arena ready to compete.

Terence Crawford sticks to Ilia Topuria dig, sets sights on Conor McGregor

Terence Crawford is riding high after a historic night in Las Vegas, where he dominated Canelo Alvarez to claim his status as a three-division undisputed world champion. Yet even amid boxing glory, Crawford found himself under the spotlight again—this time over UFC star Ilia Topuria. Topuria had thrown down the verbal gauntlet, claiming he could “put [Crawford] to sleep” if they ever squared off and even reignited the feud after noticing Crawford’s walkout song mirrored his own.

However, Crawford remained unfazed. “To be honest, I’ve never even seen this dude fight,” Crawford said. “I ain’t even going to lie…” In his view, Topuria was fake, clout-chasing, and clearly out of his league. Crawford made it clear he had no intention of entertaining Topuria’s claims. “I definitely think he’s trying to clout chase,” he added. “I would – there ain’t even nothing to talk about.” Furthermore, when the topic of a potential matchup resurfaced, Crawford didn’t hold back, using MMA crossover legend Conor McGregor as the benchmark:

“For what? What money would I get out of fighting him? Tell me how much I’m going to get out of fighting him? Please… He’s nowhere near on the level of Conor McGregor. Let’s be real. Stop it. Don’t even compare him to Conor…” Ultimately, in Crawford’s eyes, the distinction is crystal clear. But the debate doesn’t end there. Could a Terence Crawford vs. Conor McGregor matchup ever happen, and would it deliver what fans truly want? Or should McGregor focus on a UFC return instead? Share your thoughts below.