“Last week, something happened to me. I went to the White House, and my country is…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.” Conor McGregor dropped a bombshell at the BKFC 70 presser. Not only did the Irishman hint at the end of his professional fighting career, but he also offered a glimpse into what the future holds. The man who started his journey on welfare cheques in Dublin is now aiming to lead the nation after years of slugging it out in the cage.

The Crumlin juggernaut didn’t stop there. From Proper Twelve to Black Forge Inn to Greenback Records, the Irishman has made his fortune, and now he believes it’s high time to lead Ireland into a new era and give back to his country. The former double champ made waves with a visit to the White House the day before St. Patrick’s Day. Ahead of his meeting with Donald Trump, he stepped up to the podium in a Q&A session with the media. This is where he called Irish-American relations a sibling bond, saying the United States played the role of Ireland’s “big brother.”

Moreover, the Irishman also pointed to immigration as one of the country’s biggest concerns. After the speech, he met with President Donald Trump along with his family. And while the Dubliner has continued lambasting the Irish politicians and government online, McGregor’s presidential campaign continues to gain momentum. Amidst the hubbub, the former double champ hosted prominent U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson at his Black Forge Inn pub in Crumlin. The duo sat down for a two-hour interview in which McGregor described Carlson as a “good listener,” and is yet to be released.

McGregor told The Irish Times, “We had a great chat with Tucker Carlson highlighting the issues Ireland is facing, Ireland’s plight, Ireland’s fight, and also Ireland’s delight. It’s not all doom and gloom. And we want to keep a positive outlook and move incrementally, step by step, to a better Ireland. I spoke from my heart, and we’ll see how it goes. [I hope it is] absorbed by the Irish public. [Carlson had] a great listening ear.”

It is being reported that McGregor touched on the topic of immigration, a subject he’s been vocal about in recent months. He expressed support for Jim O’Callaghan, the Minister for Justice, particularly in efforts to repatriate individuals who are not legally entitled to remain in Ireland. At the same time, the Irishman voiced concern over what he sees as a lack of control at the country’s borders and the government’s failure to enforce deportation policies effectively.

Ireland’s presidential election is expected to take place around November 2025. As a candidate, the UFC star is working hard to draw attention to his campaign. His latest move to sit down with an American media figure has sparked reactions from the fans. And naturally, they are making their voice known as his political push increases.

Fans react as Tucker Carlson gets spotted in Conor McGregor’s Black Forge Inn

Some users were quick to clarify the nature of Tucker Carlson’s visit to Conor McGregor’s pub, The Black Forge Inn. One pointed out, “Tucker wasn’t spotted in Conor’s pub.. He was invited,” emphasizing that the appearance was planned, not random. Another user expressed excitement about the upcoming two-hour interview, writing, “Welcome, Tucker. Can’t wait to see the interview.”

One commenter took things further, calling for Carlson to engage with local conservative voices. “Can’t wait. We welcome Tucker with open arms in Ireland! I do hope he gets to do an interview with Gript Media, the Burke family, and Derek Domino. Welcome, my friend.” Gript Media, a conservative Irish news outlet, interviews figures like the Burke family, a well-known conservative family in Irish politics, and Derek Domino, who is also possibly another right-leaning commentator or public figure.

However, not everyone was impressed by the buzz surrounding Carlson’s visit. One user called out the celebrity behavior, saying, “It’s super cringy when celebrities pretend they won’t be noticed at normal places. Everyone knew Tucker would be there.” Another user aimed Conor McGregor’s pint-pouring skills. “If you were handed a pint like that in any other pub in Ireland, you’d send it back. Half of it is running down the glass. How can someone own a pub and not serve a pint properly?”

What do you think of Tucker Carlson’s visit to Conor McGregor’s pub?