Conor McGregor, the former UFC star who once held titles in two divisions, is figuring out his next steps for 2025. Speaking at the BKFC 70 press conference after the event on March 27, 2025, he shared his thoughts on what lies ahead. He still has two fights left on his UFC contract and is hashing things out with the promotion. But right now, Ireland is pulling at him hard, enough to make him turn down a fight at Alcatraz prison scheduled for June 2025.
He opened up about where he stands with his fighting career.
“Like I’ve said, I’ve got two fights on the contract, I’m in negotiations,” he told reporters. “Last week something happened to me. I went to the White House, and my heart bleeds for my country right now. So there’s a lot of stuff going on back home. I’m happy with what I’ve done. There’s something else for me that’s in my gut right now, and that’s kind of where I’m going.”
His trip to meet President Donald Trump on St. Patrick’s Day 2025 lit a fire in him, making him think more about Ireland than the octagon.
McGregor’s Bold Vision Beyond the Octagon
That shift in priorities showed when he talked about the Alcatraz offer.
“We’ll see, greatness does not rush,” he said. “There was an opportunity, or should we say a deal, to fight on Alcatraz recently in June. And they came to me, and it wasn’t my worth. As a fighter we have to know our worth. I hold every pay-per-view record in the book. I hold every gate record in the book. And my comeback would be slated as the greatest or the biggest, most anticipated comeback of all time. So, it has to be right. Right now, Ireland is in my thoughts and that’s where I am, but it will happen, I am sure and it’s always great to be here at BKFC.”
He’s content with his fight legacy but insists any next step must fit his massive status.
McGregor’s sights are also set on a huge leap, running for President of Ireland in November 2025. When asked if he’d still fight while chasing that role, he didn’t hold back.
“F*cking right I will, of course, are you crazy? That’s part of why I want to do it,” he said during the press conference, as reported by The MacLife. “To be announced as the President of Ireland while having a fight? Imagine that. But for sure, hell yes, hell yes.”
He’s thrilled by the idea of leading Ireland and stepping into the cage at the same time.
McGregor hasn’t been in the UFC since July 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier after snapping his leg. He was set to face Michael Chandler in June 2024, but a toe injury sidelined that plan. Charles Oliveira, who beat Chandler in November 2024, recently told Oddspedia he doubts McGregor will return, saying fans should move on since McGregor seems settled with his achievements. Right now, McGregor feels good about his past but hears a different call pulling him toward Ireland. Whether that means more fights or a run at the presidency, his 2025 is up in the air and fans are watching to see what he chooses.
