Conor McGregor Irish Presidency Bid ‘Blocked’ Before 2026 Return

Conor McGregor has been more than angsty about making a combat sports return, 4 years moved from the sport. The former UFC two-weight champ has been to his usual hedonistic traits and wanted to return big, as the President of Ireland.

There are fresh updates on next year’s “America 250” White House PPV card, which is now to take place a month earlier, during the span of IFW Fesivities. The lure of a global White House fight has brought back many top stars and McGregor was one of them. He even re-entered the UFC Anti-Doping database and had his first registered test this year.

The UFC superstar was more than eager to enter term and then make a fighting comeback; on the last leg of his two-fight contract, this would be a perfect way to end it. However, McGregor’s hopes for the October 24th Irish presidential election are somewhat busted. Ruling party Fine Gael has requested all 246 local councils to upvote any independent candidate!

According to the current regulations, in order to qualify, a candidate must obtain nominations from twenty Oireachtas members or four county councils. A total of 20 out of 31 councils are scheduled to hold meetings to discuss the ballot inclusion and freeze out over a dozen independent candidates, including Conor McGregor. The Dubliner wasn’t happy and took to his social media handle to vent on it.

This is a direct breach of democracy through the abuse of power and thus, a criminal action!

A full misuse of authority!

This situation must be challenged as an abuse of power, and warrants investigation by relevant authorities as well as review by the Standards in Public… https://t.co/oQydyNrchS

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 6, 2025

This is the second time that moves have been made — by the coalition body that rules — which have blocked McGregor and other independents from a taste of power in Ireland. Concerns about a candidate like McGregor, who could win the mayoral ballot election, played a pivotal role in the decision earlier this year to scrap direct mayoral election procedures in Dublin.

McGregor is highly contentious outside of fighting and even has a levy of €248,603 ($260,000 all-in) in fines for assault charges from a Dublin Civil Court. Just 246 of the 941 councilors on these councils are Fine Gael members; in essence, it is not all hopeless. But for the UFC fighter, it might be as he needed this big splash to keep himself tethered to his global fandom, away from fighting.

Can Conor McGregor become President of Ireland?

Outside of blockbuster PPV numbers, Conor McGregor is out of touch with the fight world since his 2021 TKO leg break at UFC 264. However, he remains a popular figure and wanted to make a dent by being a name on the “America 250” White House PPV lineup. Returning with some power and a successful Irish political bid was always a game close to his chest and would keep his name running.

But the Irishman often misjudged the effect of his influence and steps. McGregor took a liking to the POTUS’s aggressive anti-immigration policy and wanted similar measures to safeguard Irish interests instead of ‘imported’ talents. Along with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, he even visited the South Wing media room, pushing his agenda and shaking on it.

However, his agenda had a different effect back home; in a conversation with public NYC Media scrum, Tanaiste (deputy prime minister), Simon Harris, shunted McGregor’s push for expedited removal of imported foreign talents. Irish tabloids also stunned him, saying his Donald Trump-like West-ish GOP-aligned steps and fascinations are a big step away from what Ireland wants.

Conor McGregor made his base out of representing the working Irish class people and even ripped the IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Services) center for asylum operations. He called the current administration and Prime Minister incompetent and came under fire from the Garda Síochána (Irish policing force) for instigating mob violence.

McGregor then shot at his foot to secure the unlikely viral nomination, by wanting to dissolve and do away with the Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives of the Oireachtas/or what is essentially the ruling Irish Parliament). The quest for 20 parliamentary nominations appears to be a lost cause, especially in light of Fine Gael’s recent options and putting a bigger nail in the plank.

His bid at the highest office is now as obscure as his UFC return.

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