Conor McGregor has set his sights on politics, declaring his intention to run for President of Ireland and launching an online petition to change the country’s nomination process.
The former two-division UFC champion announced Monday that he wants to appear on the ballot for the upcoming general election, but under current Irish rules, presidential candidates must secure nominations from 20 members of the Oireachtas or four county councils.
McGregor said the process prevents ordinary citizens from deciding who can contest the presidency.
“I, Conor McGregor hereby declare my intention to seek the esteemed office of President of Ireland,” McGregor wrote on his Change.org campaign. “The current constitutional framework however presents a significant barrier to democratic participation.”
McGregor argued that the public, including Irish citizens abroad, should be able to directly decide which candidates appear on the ballot. He urged supporters to sign his petition as a step toward “a more inclusive and democratic electoral process.”
The Dublin native has teased a political career for months, including a visit to the White House in March during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with then-President Donald Trump.
The Irish presidency is considered largely ceremonial, though it carries the title of head of state and supreme commander of the Irish Defense Forces. Still, McGregor said he hopes to bring a stronger voice to the role.
The petition comes just days after an Irish court rejected McGregor’s appeal in a case that found him liable for sexual assault stemming from a 2018 incident.
At the same time, McGregor is plotting a return to the UFC, having re-entered the promotion’s anti-doping program. He has expressed interest in competing at a planned card at the White House in 2026.
McGregor last fought in 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier.
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