In March, when Conor McGregor first announced his interest in being Ireland’s next President, many experts walked all over his dreams. According to the law, an Irish presidential nominee needs to cover multiple criteria. The UFC fighter cleared most, including being an Irish citizen over 35 years of age. However, the biggest ball drops when the person should be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, the Irish parliament, or by at least four of Ireland’s 31 local authorities. Despite being a controversial personality on the island with not as many supporters, McGregor confirmed last month, “I have it secured.”

Now, though, his bold foray into Irish politics has come to an unexpected halt a month before the elections. The former UFC champion, known for his fiery personality inside the cage, has declared that he will withdraw from the 2025 presidential campaign. In a long letter addressed to his supporters on X, McGregor wrote, “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.”

When McGregor stood up for his candidacy for an anti-immigration platform and other issues that Ireland faces, such as homelessness. In March, he addressed his supporters, saying, “Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness.” He also claimed the government had “abandoned the voices” of Irish people and that rural towns were being overrun by immigrants. However, his public image became the only thorn in his way. Eoin O’Malley, professor in political science at Dublin City University, told Euronews the chances of McGregor passing the candidacy thresholds were “exceedingly unlikely.”

Consequently, ten days before the deadline to get his nominations, McGregor stepped back. Currently, the role is held by Michael D. Higgins, who is serving his second term. The elections this year will be held on October 24 for the first man who will keep his pledge to the Irish citizens for the next seven years. 

Even in his recent post, he accused Ireland’s political establishments of using obsolete constitutional restrictions to prevent true democratic competition, ensuring that only approved candidates appear on the ballot. “Ireland has drastically changed in recent years, however, is constraint by the straitjacket of an outdated Constitution that is selectively upheld by the main Oireachtas parties,” he wrote. The Irishman framed his campaign as a struggle for the “forgotten Irish” who have been left out of mainstream politics.

Conor McGregor also claimed that his candidacy exposed a “democratic deficit” in how presidential elections are contested. He appreciated the visible movement of Irish patriots fighting to preserve their heritage and cultural identity. He had also mentioned all the promises he made to the Irish citizens and how many of them he had already covered. But this is not the end for McGregor. He concluded his letter, writing, “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!”

His portrayal of politics as a struggle against elite-controlled narratives struck a chord with many Irish citizens who felt marginalized by the country’s political system. With his political dreams temporarily stalled, Conor McGregor will be focusing on the Octagon. As of 2025, he has re-entered the UFC’s testing pool and passed his first anti-doping test in mid-July, suggesting a possible comeback to competition.

Already, his interest in fighting in the UFC White House next year had made waves. With close connections to both US President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White, it might become a possibility. For now, his next opponent and event details are unknown. But the former two-division champion has made it clear that the fight against political and sporting challenges is far from over.