Conor McGregor is tapping out of the race to become president of Ireland, but not before throwing a few more haymakers.
The controversial Irish UFC star announced in a post on X that he is withdrawing from the race, but called out the lengthy process to get his name on the ballot.
Despite garnering public support through his MMA stardom and social media, McGregor was a longshot to be on the ballot for this October’s election.
To become a nominee in Ireland, a person requires nominations from 20 members of parliament or four local authorities.
He had been due to address meetings of Dublin city council and Kildare County council on Monday in an attempt to get onto the ballot.
“I recently announced my sincere and genuine intentions of running for the office of (president of Ireland),” McGregor wrote Sunday night to his 10.7 million followers on X.
“I am a very passionate Gael and take great pride in our country.
“I have demonstrated this fighting Irish spirit on a world stage and placed us rightly at the top table.”
McGregor, who had campaigned on an anti-immigration platform, railed against the “establishment,” “fake news” and “woke” ideologies in the post before officially announcing his withdrawal.
“Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” he wrote. “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.”
McGregor added that this aborted run would not be the last time he wades into politics.
“My first venture into politics, and although I have chosen to withdraw this round, meaningful progress has been made,” he wrote.
“I want to assure the people of Ireland that this will not be my last election. You will see me canvassing again in the future, fighting for your rights and representing the best interests of our nation.”
McGregor, who held championships in two different UFC weight classes, has been a controversial figure outside of the octagon.
Earlier this year, he was involved in a nude photo scandal with rapper Azealia Banks, who posted alleged unsolicited pics sent by McGregor.
The 212 hitmaker shared the content on X, calling out McGregor for his behaviour as well as his threats for her to not tell anyone about it.
“How you gonna send a b**** some crooked d*** pics then threaten her not to tell,” the rapper posted on X, tagging McGregor. “N**** do you know who the f*** I am?
“This is HARAM.”
Banks attached two screenshots allegedly sent to her by the MMA superstar via direct messages on Instagram.
In the X-rated snaps, McGregor is fully naked in what appears to be a closet while taking pictures in a mirror. In one, he appears to be wearing a weighted band around his penis.
The Irishman also was found liable in a civil case last November after a jury determined he sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in a hotel penthouse following a night of heavy partying nearly six years ago.
Hand claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her while also threatening her life in a chokehold, leaving her badly bruised after the incident.
McGregor claimed in court that the two had consensual sex that was “athletic and vigorous” but not rough, and she “never said ‘no’ or stopped.”
McGregor hasn’t competed in the UFC since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg during a match against Dustin Poirier.