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.

Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has said he could ‘throw many jabs’ at the Irish prime minister over comments made about his St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House. McGregor, 36, held President Donald Trump’s left hand and placed his right fist over the president’s right shoulder as the two smiled widely in the Oval Office on Monday afternoon.

Conor McGregor used a visit to the White House on Monday to air grievances over immigration in Ireland, pleading for help from the US. The former two-weight UFC champion, who was visiting the White House on St Patrick’s Day, has been increasingly vocal about what he deems political issues in Ireland in recent years.