In a landmark ruling, an Irish civil court jury has found former UFC fighter Conor McGregor liable for assaulting a woman in a Dublin hotel in 2018. The jury awarded €250,000 to Nikita Hand, who claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her during an encounter in a penthouse suite.
The incident occurred on December 9, 2018, following a night of partying. Hand testified that the assault left her with severe bruising and post-traumatic stress disorder. She described the attack as a harrowing experience that had a lasting impact on her physical and mental well-being.
McGregor, once the poster boy of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a global sports icon, denied the allegations. He insisted that the encounter had been consensual and accused Hand of fabricating her claims. During his testimony, McGregor maintained that he never forced her to do anything against her will. His defence team argued that Hand was motivated by financial gain, labelling her a “gold digger” during the trial.
The jury, composed of eight women and four men, deliberated for approximately six hours before delivering their verdict in Dublin’s High Court. They determined that McGregor was liable for assault, awarding Hand a sum that both sides acknowledged as significant yet “modest” in the context of such high-profile cases.
McGregor, visibly shaken by the outcome, was seen shaking his head as the verdict was read. Leaving the courthouse, he faced a barrage of media attention but refrained from commenting. Later, he took to social media vowing to appeal the decision and disputing the jury’s findings. He referred to the financial award as “modest” and reaffirmed his denial of the allegations.
The ruling marks a significant moment in McGregor’s career, which has been marked by a mix of sporting achievements and controversies. Once celebrated as a dominant force in mixed martial arts, McGregor’s public image has been tarnished by a series of legal troubles and accusations.
Legal experts believe the case could have broader implications for how high-profile assault allegations are handled in civil courts. For Hand, the outcome represents a step toward justice, though her legal team emphasized that no monetary award could fully compensate for the trauma she endured.
McGregor’s legal team is expected to file an appeal in the coming weeks, setting the stage for further legal battles. Meanwhile, the verdict has reignited conversations about accountability and the treatment of survivors in cases involving powerful public figures.
