Conor McGregor believes he would have a strong chance of becoming Ireland's next president and has been endorsed by Elon Musk on social media.
The UFC star has been involved in controversial political discussions in recent weeks, particularly surrounding the riots in Dublin following the stabbing of three children and a carer in the city.
He is reportedly being investigated by Irish police as part of a wider investigation into the alleged spread of online hate speech surrounding those riots. McGregor later wrote that he did not condone the riots.
On Tuesday, the former two-weight champion made known his potential opposition to the power should he decide to run, writing: “Potential competition if I walk. Gerry (Adams), 78. Bertie (Ahern). 75. Enda (Kenny), 74. Each with unbreakable ties to their individual party's politics.
'Regardless of what the audience feels outside their parties. These parties rule themselves versus rule the people.
Conor McGregor believes he would have a great chance of success if he were to run for office
The Irishman outlined his plans to Elon Musk on X after receiving the billionaire's support
Musk replied to McGregor that he would wipe the floor with his political rivals
“Or me, 35,” McGregor continued. 'Young, active, passionate, fresh skin in the game. I'm listening. I support. I adapt. I have no preference/bias towards any party. They would really be called to account regarding the current reign of public feeling. I would even put it all to a vote.
“There would be votes every week to make sure. I can finance. As President of Ireland I would not be in power. It would be you and me.”
Musk, the richest man in the world, responded to McGregor's post, writing: “I think you could take them all by yourself. Not even fair.'
Apparently buoyed by the positive comments from SpaceX's CEO, the 35-year-old then gave a more detailed overview of what his goals would be.
'I would like to make 100% of my chances Elon. I would have to be nominated by: at least twenty members of the Oireachtas (Ireland's bicameral parliament); or at least four local authorities (also known as county councils) to provide leadership. Most (26) local authorities are provincial councils.
'There are also three city councils (Dublin, Galway and Cork) and two councils overseeing a city and a county (Limerick and Waterford). A process.
“Anyway, I would just welcome absolute transparency and public consultation. Currently there is none. Not one iota. False promises come around election time and after that it's literally straight ignorance.
'It's disgusting. Even opposition politics seems to me more an attempt to gain power than to bring about change. If those currently in power agreed to usher in all of the opposition's positions on change, that wouldn't even be enough. It is power/greed, the goal. I think if there was a power change today, the situation would simply change.
McGregor has spoken out on divisive political issues such as immigration
'The same questions, requests and condemnations, but only from the other side.
“Me, I'd clean all day if it meant our issues were heard and corrected and the public was consulted on these decisions. A real democracy! Among many other things, the allocation of our nation's funds has been nothing short of criminal, and without an ounce of consideration for public thinking.
“This is why I would run, if I did. To be a voice of the people who deserve to be heard. President of Ireland is a unique position for other countries, but it would require answers to questions. Dialect would be so good for us in the audience. Our people feel ignored. Unheard of. Until election time, of course. Then the waffle begins.
'I hope all is well, congratulations on the app and rebrand to X, it flies like those rockets!'
McGregor blasted the Irish government's response after five people were stabbed last month, with three children injured in the attack and a five-year-old child left in a critical condition.
McGregor recently welcomed his fourth child, Mack, with Dee Devlin
Police arrested a suspect, later identified as a 49-year-old Irish national, of Algerian descent, who had lived in Ireland for 20 years.
He wrote: 'Innocent children are being brutally stabbed today by a mentally disturbed non-national in Dublin, Ireland. There is a great danger among us in Ireland that should never exist here in the first place, and no action has been taken to support the public in any way with this frightening fact. NOT GOOD ENOUGH.'
His rhetoric was similar after the conviction of Jozef Puska, a 33-year-old Slovak man who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ashling Murphy.
McGregor wrote: 'Ireland, we are at war.'
The Dubliner has been politically engaged since his early days in the UFC, regularly commenting on social issues and even making significant donations for medical supplies during the Covid pandemic.
It remains to be seen how serious McGregor is about entering the political fray himself, especially given his busy family life and career.
He welcomed his fourth child with fiancée Dee Devlin, named Mack, last week and is also training for his long-awaited return to the octagon next year, with the date and confirmation of opponent – expected to be Michael Chandler – yet to be announced.