It’s truly surprising that, despite being a former UFC star, Conor McGregor is making headlines not for MMA news but for his political ambitions. While all the hype in the MMA community is around UFC 317 International Fight Week, the 36-year-old is grabbing attention for a very different reason.
Since his visit to the White House, his harsh criticism of Ireland’s political system has drawn major attention and backlash from media worldwide—especially from the Irish government. Conor didn’t let the buzz die down. Just a few weeks later, his two-hour talk with Tucker Carlson reignited the conversation about his goal to become the president of Ireland.
What’s truly surprising is that it was the UFC itself that fueled his desire to represent Ireland politically.
How the UFC Made Conor McGregor Passionate About Representing Ireland
Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since July 10, 2021, when he faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. That fight ended with a doctor’s stoppage after McGregor broke his leg in the first round. He was set to return at UFC 303 in June 2024 against Michael Chandler, but he pulled out due to a toe injury.
Now, McGregor is chasing something very different. He has shifted his focus from fighting to politics. The former UFC star is openly talking about becoming the next president of Ireland, which is getting a lot of attention worldwide.
This week, McGregor spoke with Tucker Carlson about his surprising bid for the Irish presidency. He seemed to speak from the heart, saying that from the very beginning, he fought not just for himself, but to represent his country.
He told Carlson, “I fought to represent my nation’s flag on the grandest stage of fighting. That was my aspiration—to open the doors of the fighting world and the martial arts world to the Irish public.”
Although ‘The Notorious’ has faced criticism for his political dreams, his determination is still the same as before. “It’s still a fight to represent my country to the best of my ability,” he said, ready to face whatever challenges come his way.
Challenges in Conor McGregor’s Path to Leadership
Conor McGregor is one of the most popular names in Ireland. But his road to becoming a political leader won’t be easy. He said the country’s election system is tough, especially for independent candidates like him. To run for president, he needs support from either four county councils or 20 members of the Irish parliament.
Conor McGregor is not going to be President of Ireland. Here’s why:
🛑 No official candidacy
📜 Needs 20 Oireachtas noms — has 0
🏛️ Needs 4 councils — not buying those, lad
📉 No policies, no party, no platform
⚖️ Legal baggage & PR chaos
🇮🇪 The Áras isn’t the Octagon pic.twitter.com/HkzvzMhvWu— Dialectic Rebel (@Ghostofmire) March 23, 2025
McGregor also shared concerns about Ireland’s leadership. He criticized government spending and immigration policies. In response, the media in his home country have criticized most of his remarks.
The way people have criticized him recently, it’s still unclear if he will make it in Irish politics. But one thing is certain: he will live up to his nickname, “The Notorious.”
Subscribe
