Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has disclosed that he is no longer seeking to run in next month’s Irish presidential election.
His declaration on Monday came just hours before he was scheduled to speak at Dublin City Council and Kildare County Council meetings, where he was hoping to gain the nominations required to put his name on the ballot.
In a social media statement, McGregor stated that he made the decision to withdraw his name “after careful reflection and consultation with my family.”
Ireland will vote on October 24, with three candidates having already acquired the necessary support from Irish parliamentarians or local administrations to run in the election.
Presidential candidates must be Irish citizens aged 35 or older and have the support of at least 20 members of the Irish parliament, the Oireachtas, or four of Ireland’s 31 local authorities.
McGregor, a former champion fighter who has not competed professionally since July 2021, stated, “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.”
The 37-year-old, who announced his candidacy for president last year, said he was “truly humbled” by the “support and encouragement” he has gotten.
He claimed that the election’s eligibility restrictions were a “straitjacket” that prevented “a true democratic presidential election from being contested.”
Earlier this year, McGregor lost a civil jury appeal challenging a finding that he sexually assaulted a woman, which he disputed.
Nikita Hand accuses McGregor of raping her at a Dublin hotel in 2018. In a court case in November 2024, she was successful in obtaining damages from him.
McGregor was ordered to pay £206,000 in damages and expenses to Ms. Hand.
Prospective presidential candidates have until September 24 to gather the necessary backing to be on the ballot, and three have already done so.
Catherine Connolly is an independent who is supported by several left-wing parties, including Labour, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit.
Jim Gavin has been chosen by Fianna Fáil, the largest party in the Irish parliament and led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Heather Humphreys is the candidate for Fine Gael, the center-right party that is currently in collaboration with Fianna Fáil.
