MMA personality Chael Sonnen is fascinated by the prospect of Conor McGregor entering the political arena.
McGregor, known as “The Notorious,” recently declared his intention to contend for the Irish presidency, a largely symbolic position. Despite the role`s limited power, McGregor has been outspoken about his desire to challenge the current government and has pledged significant reforms if elected.
In a video response, Sonnen considered McGregor`s motivations and admitted that, if he were an Irish voter, he would consider supporting McGregor.
“The question is whether Conor has genuine political ambitions and if he could win an election in Ireland?” Sonnen pondered. “There are aspects of Conor that appeal to me as a voter, but many people in Ireland I know are not fans of his. One of the first missteps he made was purchasing property abroad. It`s a common mistake for public figures – trying to appear patriotic while flaunting their lifestyle in places like the Bahamas or showcasing luxury items stored overseas. It creates a disconnect.”
“So, I`m unsure if Conor could be elected, and perhaps it`s not my place to say. I don`t have a vote, but if I did, I might actually vote for him,” Sonnen confessed.
McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion and a prominent figure in combat sports, is exploring politics during a prolonged absence from competition. His last fight was at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a leg injury in a defeat to Dustin Poirier. Since then, McGregor has been inactive, focusing on injury rehabilitation, pursuing outside interests, and addressing legal issues.
His planned return at UFC 303 in June against Michael Chandler was cancelled due to a toe injury. Sonnen has previously expressed doubts about McGregor`s return to fighting and is uncertain whether a move to politics or an MMA comeback is more likely.
“Conor McGregor running for president of Ireland and Conor McGregor returning to the UFC are equally improbable statements without substantial evidence,” Sonnen stated. “Neither claim has widespread support. But does that make them untrue? Does it make one less plausible than the other?”
“The idea of Conor entering politics, a field he has no known experience in, isn`t necessarily a disadvantage. Many politicians lack political expertise. There are people who want to remove such politicians but struggle to do so. After elections, the reaction is often, ‘He doesn`t even know what he`s doing!’ But sometimes, that doesn`t hurt you. If you are charismatic and can deliver a message effectively on local news, you have a decent chance of getting elected, possibly more so than an expert who freezes under public speaking pressure.”
Sonnen also questioned if McGregor`s political aspirations might be linked to his hesitation to return to the UFC or the UFC`s difficulty in negotiating with him. Sonnen believes specific conditions are needed for McGregor to compete again.
“I don’t think Conor has the resolve to endure another intense training camp and face the risks of a 25-minute main event fight,” Sonnen commented. “It’s a huge demand on anyone. The UFC is puzzled about why they can`t get Conor to sign a contract. They could change one thing: reduce the fight to three five-minute rounds, and the chances of Conor signing would significantly increase.”
“The UFC didn`t get Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight for his 30th win, not because of money, but because of the 155-pound weight limit. If they had offered a 170-pound fight, Khabib might have aimed for 30-0. Numbers matter. For Conor, considering two jobs: president and fighter, which is less likely?”
