Conor McGregor ordered to pay woman more than $250,000 for sexual assault

Conor McGregor ordered to pay a woman more than $250,000 after a civilian jury in Dublin, Ireland found an MMA fighter guilty of sexual assault.

Nikita Hand’s lawyers argued that McGregor “brutally raped and beaten” her after a night of partying in a Dublin hotel suite in 2018, leaving Hand badly bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The panel of eight women and four men delivered its verdict on Friday after about six hours of deliberations at the High Court in Dublin.

“I hope that my story will remind all victims of sexual violence that no matter how afraid you are, speak up, you have a voice and continue to fight for justice,” Hand said in court after the verdict was announced.

McGregor testified during the trial that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sexual intercourse.

In a post on Page X after the jury’s decision, McGregor wrote: “I will be appealing today’s decision. The judge’s order and the modest award were for assault, not aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence assessed by the DPP. I am now with my family and focusing on my future. Thank you to all my support around the world.”

Two-time UFC champion McGregor made his acting debut in Doug Liman’s 2024 adaptation of the 1980s action film Road house alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.