Conor McGregor has officially announced his plan to run for President of Ireland. The 36-year-old UFC fighter made the revelation on social media. Notably, his campaign focuses on opposing immigration policies.

Interestingly, McGregor’s decision comes just days after he met former US President Donald Trump at the White House. Moreover, he has strongly criticized the European Union’s new migration deal.

On X, he wrote, "The next presidential election must take place by 11 Nov 2025. Who else will stand up to the government and oppose this bill? Any other candidate they put forward will be no resistance to them. I will!"

Furthermore, he promised to give voters the final say:
"As President, I would put forth this bill to referendum. Although I strongly oppose this pact, it is neither mine nor the government’s choice to make. It is the people of Ireland’s choice! That is true democracy!"

But who exactly is McGregor? More importantly, why is he so controversial?

Who is Conor McGregor?

Without a doubt, Conor McGregor is one of the most famous fighters in UFC history. He grew up in Crumlin, Ireland, and initially worked as a plumber’s apprentice. However, his career took a dramatic turn when he joined the UFC in 2013.

At first, McGregor struggled. He lost two of his first six fights. Nevertheless, he quickly turned things around. Over the next few years, he dominated the featherweight and lightweight divisions with a series of knockout victories.

His powerful left hand became his biggest weapon. In fact, legendary MMA coach Firas Zahabi called it “the touch of death.” However, his aggressive style often drained his stamina in longer fights.

Eventually, McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold two championship belts at the same time. Due to his knockout power, some even compared him to boxing legend Mike Tyson.

Additionally, in 2017, he made history by setting a record for the most-watched pay-per-view fight. His highly anticipated boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. attracted millions of viewers.

Then, in 2021, Forbes named him the world’s highest-paid athlete.

However, McGregor’s fighting career has since declined. He has not competed since 2021. In addition, he has lost three of his last four matches. Despite announcing multiple retirements, he is unlikely to return.

Instead, he has focused on business. He co-founded Proper No. Twelve whiskey in 2018 and later sold it in 2021. Meanwhile, his party lifestyle and legal troubles have damaged his reputation.

Shockingly, in 2024, he lost his role as the face of Proper No. Twelve after a sexual assault ruling.

McGregor’s Long List of Controversies

Over the years, McGregor has frequently faced legal trouble. He has been arrested multiple times for violent behavior and criminal charges. Additionally, he has faced several sexual assault allegations, though he denies them.

• 2017-2018: He pleaded guilty to speeding. Then, in 2018, he attacked a UFC bus, injuring several fighters. As a result, authorities arrested him. However, he avoided jail time by pleading guilty to disorderly conduct.
• 2019: Irish authorities launched an investigation into McGregor for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in a Dublin hotel. Shockingly, another woman also accused him of assaulting her in a car. Furthermore, he punched a man in a pub simply for refusing to try his whiskey. Around the same time, he smashed a fan’s phone. However, he later settled the case privately.
• 2020-2022: In 2020, police arrested him in Corsica for alleged sexual misconduct. However, due to a lack of evidence, the case was dropped. Then, in 2021, an Italian DJ accused him of breaking his nose in an unprovoked attack. Later, in 2022, a woman claimed McGregor attacked her on his yacht, forcing her to jump into the sea to escape. Eventually, she dropped the lawsuit.
• 2023-2024: In 2023, another woman accused him of sexual battery at an NBA Finals game. A year later, in 2024, an Irish court awarded a woman $257,000 in a sexual assault case against McGregor. However, he insisted the encounter was consensual and vowed to appeal.

Additionally, McGregor faced a lawsuit from former friend and MMA fighter Artem Lobov. Lobov claimed McGregor owed him money from the Proper No. Twelve whiskey sale.

Can McGregor Win?

Despite his bold announcement, experts believe McGregor has almost no chance of winning.

According to Trinity College Dublin professor Gail McElroy, his campaign faces nearly impossible hurdles. She told Sky News:
"There’s two hurdles. First, you have to get nominated and then you have to win a majority of the vote. Both of those hurdles are almost insurmountable [for McGregor]."

To qualify, he must gain support from at least 20 members of parliament or four of Ireland’s 31 local councils. However, political experts doubt he can achieve this.

Furthermore, McGregor remains unpopular with voters. A 2023 Irish Independent poll showed that only 8% of people would vote for him. Meanwhile, a staggering 89% said they would not.

Professor McElroy further explained:
"There are people with right-wing or populist views in Ireland, but not enough to make a difference for McGregor. It would be a small minority vote. There are many, many candidates ahead of him."

Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, McGregor’s presidential bid has shocked many. While his fame may bring attention to his campaign, his legal troubles and declining popularity work against him. Given the overwhelming opposition, experts agree—his chances of winning are close to zero.