Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has withdrawn from the Irish presidential race, claiming the process is “fixed” and designed to favour establishment candidates.
McGregor was among several prospective contenders expected
to present their case to county councils on Monday as part of the nomination
process. To enter the election, candidates must secure backing from at least 20
Oireachtas members or four local authorities.
By Monday, McGregor had not received any formal expressions
of support from either Oireachtas members or councils, leaving his chances of
securing a nomination highly unlikely.
In a statement posted on X, McGregor announced his
withdrawal, writing: “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. I
will continue to serve my people by using my international platform to promote
Irish interests abroad, to strengthen our economic opportunities, and to
advocate for transparency and responsibility in public life at home.”
He said he had been “sincere and genuine” in his intentions
and was “truly humbled” by the support he received. However, he criticised
Ireland’s “outdated constitution,” arguing it placed a “straitjacket” on the
process and ensured that “only Establishment approved candidates may be
selected on the ballot.”
McGregor’s bid had already been clouded by controversy. Last
year, he was ordered by the High Court to pay €250,000 in damages to Nikita
Hand after a jury found he had assaulted her in a Dublin hotel in 2018. He
later lost his appeal against the ruling.
His candidacy had also faced sharp criticism from political
figures. Tánaiste Simon Harris said last week that McGregor “represents the
very worst of us” and had a “negligible chance” of securing a nomination.
Harris added: “Conor McGregor is a person who has been found responsible for
rape in a civil court in Ireland. That’s a statement of fact.”
Monday marked a pivotal stage in the campaign, with 11
county councils due to hold meetings to consider potential candidates. A
further 13 councils are scheduled to meet before the nomination deadline on
September 24.
So far, Fine Gael has nominated former minister Heather
Humphreys, while Fianna Fáil has selected former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has also entered the race, and Sinn Féin is
expected to decide next week whether to field a candidate
McGregor’s withdrawal narrows the field as the contest moves
into a decisive phase, with official nominations still to be confirmed in the
coming weeks.
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