Conor McGregor Taps Out 5 Months After Presidential Bid

Conor McGregor's dreams of becoming the "Uachtaráin na hÉireann" are not over, but temporarily paused.

The MMA superstar, whose notoriety skyrocketed after he was found liable for assaulting a woman, recently announced he was dropping out of the race to become the President of Ireland.

Conor McGregor broke the news in a lengthy statement, revealing his political career was just beginning. His announcement sparked mixed reactions, with fans and critics engaging in a heated debate in the comment section.

On Sunday, September 14, McGregor addressed the end of his short-lived presidential campaign in a lengthy statement on X. He revealed that his passion for becoming the "Uachtaráin na hÉireann," which translates to the President of Ireland, has not dwindled, but the timing wasn't right.

"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," McGregor explained. He claimed his political career wasn't over, noting he was in a marathon, not a sprint.

McGregor vowed that the people of Ireland would witness him fighting for their rights in the future, stressing that he would always prioritize the best interests of their nation. Until he was ready for another presidential campaign, the MMA fighter would focus on helping the country abroad.

McGregor repeatedly raved about his status as a proud Gael, noting his desire to reinstate the laws that favor everyone, particularly the "forgotten Irish." He claimed this group felt abandoned by the government and their "woke politics," which also interfered with his presidential campaign.

The former UFC champion noted Ireland was constrained by "an outdated Constitution that is selectively upheld by the main Oireachtas parties." He claimed they exploited the law to "prevent a true democratic Presidential election" and ensured that only their approved candidates could run.

McGregor noted that these issues would not stop him in the future; however, he would remain in America to "attend to imminent unforeseen meetings that will translate to Irish jobs."

On that note, he promised to serve the people of Ireland through his international platform, and signed off with a plea for them to keep supporting him.

McGregor's passionate statement sparked mixed reactions, with some applauding him while others condemned his political aspirations. A fan implored him to get back into the race, writing, "No. No. No. You said all those things. You made all those promises. No. You must run. You must."

Another echoed similar sentiments, noting his exit was "such a sad loss for all in Ireland" because he tried to expose "how rigged the system is." A third agreed, claimingthey were saddened by his withdrawal, but happy he would continue to fight for Ireland's benefit.

On the other hand, critics celebrated his departure from the race. Someone claimed he never had a shot of winning, stressing that he "could not even secure a single nomination." Another agreed, mocking McGregor for dropping out of a race he was never a part of.

McGregor's desire to become the President of Ireland first made waves on March 20 when he announced his bid. He dropped the news on Instagram, sharing a picture of himself holding one of his four children and rocking a MAGA-inspired cap.

The green cap was adorned with the words "Make Ireland Great Again," and McGregor flexed his massive biceps in a vest as he posed in front of a private plane. He penned a lengthy message about his desire to lead Ireland into a brighter future, while criticizing the EU Migration Pact. 

McGregor noted that he was against the bill, but as President, he would put it to a referendum. "It is neither mine nor the government's choice to make. It is the people of Ireland's choice! Always! That is a true democracy!" he declared.

Following his presidential bid, McGregor focused on his MMA career and attended the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) summit in July. The Blast reported that, as part-owner of the establishment, he was invited on stage to deliver a speech.

However, McGregor got trolled on social media for giving what many described as the most embarrassing and unhinged promotion ever. His sweaty appearance and rambling did not help, leading fans to wonder if he was intoxicated.

The online trolling came days before McGregor's Irish pub caught fire. A fan spun a wild conspiracy theory about the incident, claiming an arsonist had tried to sabotage the MMA star's place of business. However, many shut down the idea, citing reports that claimed it was an electrical fire.