Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor launched a petition Monday to get his name on Ireland's presidential ballot, bypassing the usual nomination process.

The petition is housed on Change.org and has over 9,000 signatures so far. It reads,

To the esteemed citizens of Ireland and the Irish diaspora,

I, Conor McGregor hereby declare my intention to seek the esteemed office of President of Ireland. The current constitutional framework however presents a significant barrier to democratic participation. The existing regulations mandate that a candidate must secure nominations from either twenty members of the Oireachtas or four county councils to be eligible for the ballot. This system, while intended to ensure a degree of political influence among candidates, inadvertently restricts the direct voice of the Irish electorate.

Oireachtas are similar to senators in the U.S.

McGregor continued,

In light of this, I propose a petition advocating for a modification of the nomination process to allow my name be included on the ballot. I contend that the citizens of Ireland, both at home and abroad, should have the unhindered right to determine the candidates who appear on the presidential ballot. Therefore, I implore you to join me in this endeavor by signing this petition. Your support will be instrumental in championing a more inclusive and democratic electoral process, thereby empowering the people of Ireland to shape their own future.

McGregor's concerns

Yahoo Sports ranked McGregor 15th of all time as a UFC fighter, but he has become inactive in the sport after breaking his leg in a fight in 2021.

He has shown some interest in fighting again particularly in a possible match at the White House in 2026.

McGregor first talked about running for president in March, stating concerns about mass migration and the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum.

He visited the White House on St. Patrick's Day.

Just last week, McGregor lost an appeal of a civil sexual assault case stemming from an accusation that he raped a woman in Dublin in 2018. McGregor admitted to having sex with the accuser, but said it was consensual.

He was accused of sexually assaulting another woman in 2023 at an NBA finals fame, but he has denied the allegations and a criminal case was never pursued.

The cases could cause controversy for him, since he is in a long-term relationship and has four children with his partner.

What will happen?

While the petition could raise some public sentiment and support for McGregor's candidacy, it is unlikely on its own to bring about the changes he wants in Ireland's constitution.

Because it is on Change.org, anyone from any nation can sign the petition, so it won't be a true reflection of how the Irish people feel about his candidacy.

There are not enough Oireachtas or local authorities to nominate him, and a recent poll of Irish voters said that only 8% would vote for him in a presidential election.

Given these numbers, it seems unlikely that the Irish government would bend the rules to allow him to run, but anything is possible these days.