Conor McGregor will run for the Irish presidency in elections later this year, the controversial former fighter said on Thursday, as he announced his candidacy for the largely ceremonial role on an anti-immigration stance.

Conor McGregor has hit back at a report claiming the government will stop his presidential election bid. The MMA fighter, who has not fought in almost four years, has claimed that he will run for Áras an Uachtaráin in this year's election, but has not made it clear how he plans on getting nominated.

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor announced his run for Ireland’s presidency on Thursday, pushing for an anti-immigration stance just days after meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House.