Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has withdrawn from the 2025 Irish presidential race, ending weeks of speculation over whether the fighter-turned-businessman could secure a place on the ballot.
“Following careful reflection and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” McGregor said in a statement.
He admitted the decision was not easy but added that his “commitment to Ireland does not end here,” pledging to continue using his international platform to promote Irish interests abroad and advocate for transparency in public life.
McGregor also said his campaign had sparked “an important conversation about democracy in Ireland, about who gets to stand, who gets to choose and how we can ensure that the presidency truly belongs to the people.”
The 36-year-old fighter’s withdrawal comes after he failed to secure enough support under Ireland’s strict nomination rules, which require the backing of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities. Several councils declined to nominate him, leaving him short of the threshold.
McGregor had entered the race as one of the most unconventional candidates in Irish history. A former UFC featherweight and lightweight world champion, he became the first fighter to hold two titles simultaneously and parlayed his fame into global business ventures, including his whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve.
Known for his flamboyant style inside and outside the ring, McGregor’s campaign tapped into populist themes such as immigration and accountability, though polls showed his support at under 10 percent.
Despite his exit, McGregor hinted at a longer-term political future, saying his withdrawal “does not mark the end of my political journey.”
