McGregor Eyes Presidency Next

Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated UFC comeback appears to be off the table as the former two-weight champion shifts his focus to a different kind of battle — Irish politics.

The 36-year-old fighter made headlines on St. Patrick’s Day with a visit to the White House, where he spoke out on Ireland’s immigration policies, seeking U.S. support on the issue. Just days later, he took his ambitions a step further by announcing his intention to run for Ireland’s presidency, a surprising turn for someone who once dismissed politics entirely.

McGregor’s last appearance in the Octagon came in 2021, and although a long-awaited bout against Michael Chandler seemed imminent last year, the Dublin-born fighter now suggests his heart is no longer in the sport.

"My heart bleeds for my country right now,” McGregor admitted, hinting at a deeper calling beyond fighting. “There’s a lot of stuff going on at home… There’s something else for me that’s in my gut right now, and that’s where I’m going.”

His increasing involvement in political discourse, particularly his outspoken views on immigration, has placed him at the center of national debate. His White House visit reinforced his stance just days before his presidential bid announcement.

This shift in focus follows a tumultuous period for McGregor, including a recent civil-court ruling that found him liable for sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin in 2018 — an allegation he continues to deny and is appealing.

Meanwhile, his return to the UFC has been repeatedly delayed. A scheduled fight against Chandler at UFC 303 was scrapped after McGregor suffered a toe injury, extending his absence from competition.

With politics now dominating his agenda, it remains uncertain if McGregor will ever step back into the Octagon — or if his next fight will be at the ballot box instead.