TLDR
- McGregor called Irish President Catherine Connolly ‘godless’ over her St. Patrick’s Day address comparing the saint to modern migrants
- The former fighter criticized proposals to fast-track citizenship for foreign nationals serving in Ireland’s Defence Forces
- Mike Perry claims the UFC is delaying McGregor’s return despite his push for a 2026 comeback
- Perry’s upcoming MMA fight with Nate Diaz blocks McGregor’s rumored trilogy bout
- Tánaiste Simon Harris described McGregor as the ‘worst’ of Irish society earlier this week
Sources: LowKickMMA | Extra.ie | Bloody Elbow
Conor McGregor attacked Irish President Catherine Connolly on social media, calling her ‘godless’ for her St. Patrick’s Day address to the nation. The former MMA fighter’s rant came as questions arise about when he will return to the UFC octagon.
McGregor was angered after President Connolly compared St. Patrick, an immigrant who was trafficked to Ireland, to modern migrants in her address. ‘The story of Patrick’s life serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of migrants,’ the President’s message read.
The fighter wrote on X that the President was disrespecting religion ‘to suit her twisted globalist agenda.’ He also criticized a proposal to fast-track citizenship for foreign nationals who serve in the Irish Defence Forces.
‘As our military barracks are used to house economic migrants, with a promise of fast-tracked citizenship if they enlist in our army,’ McGregor posted. ‘Money, board, passport, weapons. What could go wrong!?’
Political Attacks and Failed Presidential Bid
McGregor directed harsh words at Irish politicians Simon Harris and Micheál Martin, calling them ‘a cancer to Ireland’ and ‘a worm’ respectively. Tánaiste Simon Harris had described McGregor as the ‘worst’ of Irish society earlier this week.
Conor McGreggor at the White House, giving a press conference about immigration in Ireland.
— Steve Ireland (@LightersLighter) March 17, 2025
President Connolly had previously criticized McGregor during the presidential campaign, in which he tried but failed to become a candidate. She told the Examiner: ‘I don’t think any woman would think that man is fit to be anything, given his history and his record.’
McGregor also claimed the President lied about an incident involving Elijah Burke. That incident occurred in October while Connolly was campaigning, when Burke was removed by Gardaí for disrupting an event.
UFC Return Remains Uncertain
While McGregor engages in political controversy, his fighting career remains in limbo. BKFC fighter Mike Perry claims the UFC is delaying McGregor’s return to the octagon despite the Irishman’s efforts for a 2026 comeback.
Perry suggested a potential bare-knuckle fight with McGregor, who owns part of BKFC. McGregor has been absent from upcoming UFC cards like Freedom 250.
Perry stated that McGregor is frustrated and ‘punching the air’ after Perry’s upcoming MMA fight with Nate Diaz was announced. This fight eliminates the chance for McGregor’s trilogy bout with Diaz, which had been rumored for months.
The Perry-Diaz fight is part of a Netflix-streamed card that also features Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano. Perry mocked McGregor’s reaction during an interview but expressed hope for the Irishman’s UFC return despite the delays.
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since his last appearance, and the organization has not scheduled him for any upcoming events. Perry believes the UFC is giving McGregor ‘a hard time’ even though the fighter wants to compete again this year.
