Conor McGregor Announces Presidential Bid Amid UFC Hiatus
McGregor has expressed his frustration with the current Irish political landscape, referring to those in power as "charlatans” while calling himself the "only logical choice" for President.
Conor McGregor, one of the most famous fighters in UFC history, has recently shifted his focus from the octagon to the political arena, hinting at a run for President of Ireland in 2025. The former two-division champion’s UFC return, originally planned for this year, has been postponed due to injury. Instead of preparing for his next fight, McGregor has been vocal on social media about his ambitions to lead his country.
In a series of posts, McGregor expressed his frustration with the current Irish political landscape, referring to those in power as “charlatans” and calling himself the “only logical choice” for president. He emphasized his willingness to dissolve the Dáil, Ireland’s lower house of parliament, if those in power failed to answer to the people.
“The people of Ireland deserve the answers they seek. Point blank. This would be my power as President,” McGregor wrote on X. He continued, “I know very well. Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland. It is me. I am the only logical choice. 2025 is upcoming…”
As President I hold the power to summon the Dáil as well as dissolve it. So as i said before, I would have all the answers the people of Ireland seek from these thieves of the working man, these disrupters of the family unit, these destructors of small businesses, and on and on…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 5, 2024
Source: Conor McGregor X
This isn’t the first time McGregor has flirted with the idea of running for office. In 2018, McGregor briefly entertained the idea of entering politics, with the then-Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, stating, “Stranger things have happened.”
Uncertain Political Future
The role of President in Ireland is largely ceremonial, with limited executive power. However, McGregor’s fiery rhetoric suggests he would seek to leverage the position to hold politicians accountable. His frequent references to dissolving the Dáil and summoning government officials to answer for their actions have caught the public’s attention, but the feasibility of his ambitions remains questionable.
The Irish presidency is bound by strict constitutional limits, and while the president can appoint judiciaries and sign bills into law, these actions are typically taken on the advice of the government. Nevertheless, McGregor seems eager to bring a more active approach to the role, contrasting himself with traditional political figures.
McGregor’s announcement comes at a time when his UFC career is uncertain. The fighter, who hasn’t competed since 2021 after a severe leg injury, had been expected to face Michael Chandler this year.
However, after breaking his toe during training, UFC President Dana White confirmed that McGregor’s return to the octagon would not happen in 2023, stating:
“We talked, and he wants to fight. But not this year.”
In response, McGregor pushed for a December fight, but with time running out and no formal announcement from UFC, speculation is mounting that McGregor may shift his focus entirely to his political aspirations.
The Road to 2025
As the 2025 election approaches, McGregor’s potential candidacy will likely garner significant media attention. Though he still faces questions about his political experience and the realistic scope of his promises, McGregor’s star power and ability to connect with the public could make him a formidable contender.
“I listen. I support. I adapt,” McGregor wrote in a previous post, positioning himself as a fresh face unbound by traditional party politics.
Only time will tell if McGregor’s bold proclamations will translate into a serious political campaign. But one thing is clear: whether in the ring or on the campaign trail, McGregor is ready for a fight.
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