Conor McGregor has withdrawn from next month’s Irish presidential election, saying the decision came after careful reflection and family consultation.
The former mixed martial arts (MMA) champion had been seeking nominations from local councils to appear on the ballot—having previously shared his presidential ambitions on social media, and more—but did not fully engage with the nomination process.
To date, three candidates have secured backing: independent Catherine Connolly, Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin, and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys. Sinn Féin will announce its decision on September 20.
Nicknamed ‘The Notorious,’ McGregor’s past legal troubles included allegations of sexual assault, which likely influenced public and political opinion on his candidacy. Nevertheless, voter interest in McGregor—influenced by his tough stance on Ireland’s migration crisis—shows some appetite for populist politics in Ireland.
