Conor McGregor passed on comeback fight to focus on Ireland presidential run: ‘I’m happy with what I’ve done’
Conor McGregor’s latest comeback delay was of his own doing.
It’s closing in on four years since fight fans last saw McGregor competing on a combat sports stage, with his most recent outing at UFC 264 in July 2021 ending with a broken leg and a second loss to rival Dustin Poirier. Fast forward to now, and McGregor is still waiting to book his next fight, while also juggling his responsibilities as part-owner of BKFC and, apparently, a budding presidential candidate in his native Ireland.
Following Thursday’s BKFC 70 event in Florida, McGregor spoke to the media and addressed his UFC contract situation and when he might fight again.
“Like I said, I’ve got two fights on the contract. I’m in negotiations,” McGregor said. “Last week, something happened to me. I went to the White House and my country is in my—my heart bleeds for my country right now. So there’s a lot of stuff going on back home.
“I’m happy with what I’ve done. There’s something else for me that’s in my gut right now and that’s kind of where I’m going, so we’ll see. Greatness don’t rush, also. Greatness does not rush. There was an opportunity or a deal, we’ll say, to fight in Alcatraz only recent. There’s an event going on in Alcatraz in I believe June. And they came to me and it wasn’t my worth. As a fighter, we’ve got to know our worth. I hold every pay-per-view record in the book. I hold every gate record in the book. And my comeback will be slated as the greatest comeback or the biggest, most-anticipated comeback of all time, and right now Ireland is in my thoughts and that’s where I’m at. It will happen, I’m sure and it’s always great to be here and there you go.”
McGregor did not clarify what organization allegedly offered to have him fight on Alcatraz Island, home of the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary that closed in 1963 and later became a San Francisco tourist attraction.
In regards to his White House visit, “The Notorious” made headlines on March 17 when he traveled to the United States for a meeting with President Donald Trump. McGregor has frequently praised Trump and on this trip had the chance to tell him, “his work ethic is inspiring.” The move was in line with McGregor’s current political aspirations as he later announced his plans to run for President of Ireland, a mostly ceremonial role in McGregor’s native country (the Taoiseach or Prime Minister serves as Ireland’s actual head of government).
In recent months, McGregor has used his wide social media reach to criticize the Irish government, particularly its current immigration policies. Though he has expressed a desire to make changes in his home country, he also admits there are showmanship reasons for wanting to win the presidency.
“‘And now entering the octagon, the notorious President of Ireland, Conor McGregor,’” McGregor said when asked if he’ll fight and serve in office at the same time. “F*cking right, I will, of course, are you crazy? That’s part of why I want to do it. To be announced as the President of Ireland having a fight. Imagine that. For sure, hell yes.”
It is not yet known if McGregor has submitted the paperwork for an official presidential run. Though he remains one of combat sports’ most well-known figures, a political career could be complicated by his many public transgressions. He was recently found liable for sexual assault in a civil suit related to an incident that occurred in Dublin in December 2018 and is currently dealing with another civil suit related to an alleged sexual assault from 2023 in Miami.
As for who McGregor might fight should he ever return to competition, BKFC star and Dirty Boxing founder Mike Perry was mentioned at Thursday’s press conference, and McGregor is amenable to a clash with “Platinum” given their history.
“Platinum’s doing the little thing with the big, soft gloves, I don’t know what he’s doing,” McGregor said. “What’s it called, the dirty stuff? Alright, he should come home. Mike should come home. He still shows love to the game and we’ll always have love for Mike Perry for sure. Me and Mike would be a great fight, for sure, 100 percent.”