Conor McGregor has been ordered to pay a woman more than $250,000 after a civil jury in Dublin, Ireland, found the MMA fighter liable for assault.
Lawyers for Nikita Hand argued that McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her after a night of partying in a Dublin hotel penthouse in 2018, leaving Hand heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The panel of eight women and four men returned the verdict Friday after deliberating for about six hours in the High Court in Dublin.
“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice,” Hand said outside court following the verdict.
McGregor testified during trial that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex.
In a post on X following the jury’s decision, McGregor wrote “I will be appealing today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”
Two-time UFC champion McGregor made his acting debut in Doug Liman’s 2024 reimagining of the ’80s action pic Road House opposite Jake Gyllenhaal.
