Conor McGregor is no longer going to run for the highest seat in Ireland’s political office, and the man who perhaps knows him best — his former long-time friend, Artem Lobov, has spoken out to say that it’s for the best.
McGregor spoke consistently in recent months of a desire to contest Ireland’s presidential election, however, a candidate must be nominated by 20 parliament members. Though McGregor hoped to receive this, it became increasingly unlikely that he he had the backing from those whom he needed it most. He said earlier this month that he’d withdraw from the election.
As a former two-weight UFC champion, renowned around the world as arguably the most famous MMA fighter of all time, McGregor’s push to run for president may have surprised some, yet Lobov said it was something they both discussed a decade ago. Lobov, too, thought McGregor would be a good head of state. He no longer feels the same, though, and even said that “it’s a good thing” McGregor withdrew.
Conor McGregor’s Old Friend Reacts to His Withdrawal From Presidential Run
“Running for president is something that we spoke [about] all the way back,” Lobov said to MMA Fighting.
Lobov then said it was he who organized a notable meeting between McGregor and Russia’s President at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
“One of the reasons for even for me to arrange a meeting with Vladimir Putin for Conor, that all had those kind of future aspirations,” said Lobov. “Running for president, you want to establish some contacts in the political world and obviously Vladimir Putin is one of the main figures in politics worldwide. We always spoke about that.”
The McGregor that Lobov knew and loved back in the day is no longer the McGregor right now, Lobov said. He added that McGregor should be focusing on getting his life together rather than add another complex project to his broad career, business interests, and political aspirations.
“This time around, I support the decision to withdraw because I don’t think Conor is in the right space right now,” Lobov explained.
“Not in the right mindset to run for president. He has to get his ducks in a row first.”
He finished by remarking that the McGregor he was buds with “would make a good president … That Conor for sure would make a great president and would address all the issues that need to be addressed right now in Ireland.”
Lobov filed a lawsuit over proceeds from the sale of the popular whiskey brand Proper No.12. In Lobov’s claim, he argues that he was a considerable influence on McGregor in entering the business, and made key decisions based on extensive market research that Lobov conducted. He therefore claims he’s entitled to 5% of the sale.