Conor McGregor’s divisive run for President of Ireland has the backing of one important UFC executive.
Dave Shaw, who stood in for Dana White at the UFC London post-fight press conference, believes the Irishman’s plan to run for office in his native country could be a good career move. For years, McGregor has been teasing a return to the octagon, but it’s unclear if his political ambitions will take precedence.
This week, McGregor made headlines as he took over the White House press briefing room before meeting with US President Donald Trump. It seems as though that meeting has buoyed him on to run for the role of President of Ireland.
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UFC Executive backs Conor McGregor’s Presidential effort
Following UFC London on Saturday night, Dana White opted against giving a post-fight press conference. Instead, the duty fell on Senior VP of International Operations Dave Shaw, who was asked about Conor McGregor’s effort at the Irish presidency.
He appeared baffled by the question, but eventually offered his support by adding: “I’m not really sure what to say about that one, I think he’d do a great job. He seems pretty passionate, he had a very impassioned speech at the White House.
“He has raised a number of very important topics and let’s just see… I know he’s pushing for the ultimate democracy, so let’s just see what people think.” He then joked that The Mac Life reporter Oscar Willis who was sitting in the front row might be a better person to ask.
Conor McGregor vows to ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ in Presidential run
After visiting President Trump at the White House, McGregor has announced his own intentions to run in the Irish Presidential election later this year. The position, which Shaw falsely correlated to the Prime Minister’s, is largely ceremonial, but would be a major step into politics for the UFC legend.
McGregor is just 36 and would be an historically young candidate to even run for such a role, given his lack on political history and previous criminal convictions.
However, to even get nominated he would need at least 20 members of the Oireachtas [Senate] or the backing of at least four local authorities; city or county councils. It is unclear who would support such an effort given how divisive a figure the fighter is.
In a lengthy statement on Instagram accompanying a photo of McGregor wearing a ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ hat, he wrote: “This is the future of Ireland with me as President. All citizens of Ireland to have a voice and a choice on their future! God bless our people!”
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