A civil court has ruled in favour of a woman who accused Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her, ordering the Irish mixed martial arts star to pay more than £206,000 in damages.
A jury at Dublin’s High Court concluded that McGregor assaulted Nikita Hand in a hotel in December 2018.
Following the verdict, Miss Hand addressed the media, stating her experience serves as “a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be to speak up, you have a voice.”
The incident occurred at the Beacon Hotel, where Miss Hand alleged she was assaulted by McGregor. The jury deliberated for a day before reaching their decision.
Miss Hand also brought allegations against another man, James Lawrence, 35, from Drimnagh, Dublin.
She claimed he had non-consensual sex with her during the same night. However, the jury found Mr Lawrence not guilty of assault.
BREAKING: Conor McGregor refuses to answer questions as he leaves Dublin’s High Court.
A jury in a civil court found the mixed martial arts fighter raped a woman in a Dublin hotel in 2018.
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Both men denied the accusations, maintaining that their encounters with Miss Hand were consensual.
Miss Hand expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout the trial.
“I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other young girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and that justice will be served,” she said.
Judge Alex Owens, presiding over the case, reminded the jury that the plaintiff bore the burden of proof. He explained that the standard to reach a verdict was “on the balance of probabilities” — meaning it must be more likely than not that the claim was true.
Known as one of Ireland’s most prominent sports figures, McGregor has built a global reputation as a mixed martial arts fighter.
The case marks another controversial moment in the athlete’s high-profile career.
