Conor McGregor, the former MMA champion, has officially stepped back from his attempt to run for the presidency of Ireland, citing a nomination process he believes is rigged to favor establishment figures. McGregor was one of several hopefuls expected to present their case to county councils on Monday, a crucial step in securing the necessary endorsements to appear on the ballot. To qualify as a candidate, one must obtain support from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or endorsements from four local authorities.
By the Monday deadline, McGregor had not secured any formal backing from either Oireachtas members or local councils, making his nomination highly improbable. In a message shared on X, he announced his decision to withdraw, stating: “After much thought and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy for this presidential election. This was a difficult choice, but it is the right one at this time. Although I am stepping away from the race, my dedication to Ireland remains unwavering. I will continue to champion Irish interests globally, promote economic growth, and push for greater transparency and accountability in our public institutions.”
McGregor emphasized that his intentions were honest and heartfelt, expressing gratitude for the support he had received. Nevertheless, he criticized Ireland’s constitution as outdated, arguing that it restricts the democratic process and effectively ensures only establishment-approved candidates make it onto the ballot.
His campaign had been overshadowed by controversy. In a 2018 incident, McGregor was found liable for assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel, resulting in a High Court order for him to pay €250,000 in damages-a ruling he unsuccessfully appealed.
Political leaders also voiced strong opposition to his candidacy. Tánaiste Simon Harris condemned McGregor, stating last week that he “embodies the worst aspects of our society” and doubted his chances of gaining a nomination. Harris further asserted, “Conor McGregor has been found responsible for rape in a civil court in Ireland. That is an established fact.”
Monday represented a critical juncture in the election process, with 11 county councils convening to evaluate potential nominees. An additional 13 councils are scheduled to meet before the nomination deadline on September 24.
To date, Fine Gael has put forward former minister Heather Humphreys, while Fianna Fáil has selected ex-Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin. Independent TD Catherine Connolly has also declared her candidacy, and Sinn Féin is expected to announce its decision on fielding a candidate next week.
McGregor’s exit narrows the competition as the race advances toward the official nomination phase, with final candidates to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
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