Chael Sonnen is curious about the possibility of Conor McGregor entering politics.
McGregor, known as “The Notorious,” recently announced his intention to run for President of Ireland, a largely symbolic role. Despite the ceremonial nature of the position, McGregor has been outspoken about his desire to challenge the current government and has promised significant changes if elected.
In a YouTube reaction video, Sonnen considered McGregor`s reasoning, and stated that if he were an Irish citizen eligible to vote, he would consider supporting McGregor.
“The question is whether Conor has genuine political ambitions and if he could win an election in Ireland?” Sonnen questioned. “There are aspects of Conor that would make me want to vote for him, but I also know many people in Ireland who are not fans. One of the first things he did was buy property outside of Ireland. People often make that mistake – trying to appear patriotic while showcasing their lifestyle elsewhere. It just doesn`t work.”
“So, I’m unsure if Conor could be elected, and it`s not really my place to say. I don’t have a vote; but if I did, I actually would vote for him.”
McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion and a major figure in combat sports, is considering politics during a break from competition. His last fight was at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a leg injury in a loss to Dustin Poirier. Since then, McGregor has been inactive, focusing on injury recovery, other ventures, and legal issues.
His planned return at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler in June was cancelled due to a toe injury. Sonnen has previously expressed doubts about McGregor fighting again and is uncertain whether a move to politics or an MMA return is more likely.
“Conor McGregor running for president of Ireland and Conor McGregor returning to the UFC are equally unbelievable,” Sonnen commented. “Neither statement has any real basis or support. But does that make them impossible? Does it make one less likely than the other?”
“The idea of Conor entering politics, an area he knows little about, isn`t necessarily a disadvantage. Many politicians lack political expertise. Many people want to remove such politicians but can`t, and are surprised when they get elected despite their lack of knowledge. It doesn`t always work against you. If you are charismatic and can communicate a message effectively, you have a good chance of getting elected, perhaps even more so than an expert who is uncomfortable speaking publicly.”
Sonnen also questioned if McGregor`s political aspirations are related to his hesitation to return to the UFC or the UFC`s difficulty in reaching an agreement with him. Sonnen believes specific conditions are needed for McGregor to compete again.
“I don’t think Conor has the drive to endure the intense preparation needed for a top-level fight, especially a 25-minute main event,” Sonnen stated. “It’s a huge demand on anyone. If the UFC is struggling to get Conor to sign a contract, they could consider shortening the fight to three five-minute rounds. This simple change could significantly increase the chances of Conor agreeing.”
“The UFC didn’t get Khabib to fight for his 30th win, and it wasn`t about money. The issue was the 155-pound weight class. If they had offered a 170-pound fight, Khabib might have agreed to 30-0. Numbers matter. For Conor, considering two jobs – president and fighter – which is less likely to happen?”
