Conor McGregor has dropped a major hint that retirement after announcing his intention to run for president in Ireland,
The controversial MMA fighter hasn’t fought in the UFC since back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021.
McGregor was due to return to the octagon to face long-term rival Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June of last year, but the Irishman was forced to pull out due to injury.
Last week, rather than announcing a comeback to the fight game, the 36-year-old revealed that he will run to become Ireland President in the wake of his trip to the White House.
And while McGregor has two fights left on his UFC contract, he has claimed that his visit to see US President Donald Trump has made him think twice about returning to MMA.
Speaking from BKFC 70’s post-fight press conference, McGregor said: ‘I’ve got two fights on the contract, I’m in negotiations.
‘Last week something happened to me, I went to the White House and my heart bleeds for my country right now. There is a lot of stuff going on back home.
‘I am happy with what I have done. There is something else for me that is in my gut right now. And that’s where we are going.
‘We will see. Greatness don’t rush, and right now Ireland is in my thoughts. That’s where I am at.’
McGregor was invited to meet President Trump, and several members of the administration, to mark St. Patrick’s Day.
During the controversial visit, he used his platform to fire shots at Ireland’s Prime Minister, said that rampant immigration was leading to Ireland ‘potentially losing its Irishness’, and also declared that he has the ‘complete backing of the entire Trump administration’.
Just days after the visit, McGregor announced his plans to run for the Irish Presidency with an Instagram post that sees him standing in front of a private jet and wearing a ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ cap.
On Instagram, McGregor wrote: ‘Ireland must fully implement the EU Migration Pact by June 12, 2026. So between now and 12 June 2026, several pieces of legislation have to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas & then signed by the President.
‘The next presidential election must take place by 11 Nov 2025. Who else will stand up to Government and oppose this bill?
‘Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. I will! For clarity also, as President, I would put forth this bill to referendum.
‘Although I oppose greatly this pact, it is neither mine nor governments choice to make. It is the people of Ireland’s choice! Always! That is a true democracy!’