In a groundbreaking verdict that has sent shockwaves through the mixed martial arts world, former UFC champion Conor McGregor has been found liable for sexual assault by a Dublin civil court. The jury ordered McGregor to pay €250,000 (approximately $260,000) in damages to Nikita Hand, who accused the fighter of assaulting her in a hotel penthouse in December 2018.
The verdict marks a significant turning point in the career of the controversial fighter known as “Notorious,” who has dominated headlines inside and outside the octagon for years. The High Court in Dublin reached its decision after deliberating since Thursday, with a jury of eight women and four men ruling against McGregor’s version of events.
Hand bravely stepped forward after the verdict and delivered an emotional statement outside the courthouse. “You have a voice,” she declared, her hands trembling as she read her prepared remarks. She expressed hope that the outcome would encourage other sexual assault victims to speak up.
The incident occurred at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, where Hand met McGregor after exchanging messages on Instagram. According to court testimony, both parties had consumed cocaine that night. Hand’s lawsuit detailed a horrifying sequence of events, claiming McGregor put her in a chokehold three times before the assault. A physician later testified about finding bruising on all four of her limbs and other parts of her body.
While McGregor’s legal team maintained the encounter was consensual, the jury’s verdict tells a different story. The fighter, who appeared visibly distressed when the verdict was announced, later stated on social media that he was “disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence” and plans to appeal the decision.
This legal setback comes as McGregor’s fighting career hangs in the balance. UFC President Dana White recently suggested that the fighter might return to the octagon in 2025, though no specific plans have been confirmed. McGregor’s last fight was in 2021, when he suffered a leg injury during his about with Dustin Poirier.
Behind the headlines, McGregor leads a complex personal life with his fiancée, Dee Devlin, with whom he shares four children. Their relationship spans 15 years, starkly contrasting his public persona. The couple welcomed their youngest son, Mack, last year, adding to their growing family, which also includes Conor Jr., Croia, and Rian.
While disputed, the fighter’s net worth remains substantial. In 2023, McGregor claimed that he was “closing in on a billion,” estimating his wealth at around $650 million. His fortune stems from his fighting career and successful business ventures, including the sale of his Proper 12 Whiskey brand for a reported $400 million in 2021.
This civil court verdict may pressure public prosecutors to review the criminal case, which previously ended without charges due to insufficient evidence. The decision has split McGregor’s fanbase, with some maintaining unwavering support while others express growing concern over his repeated legal troubles.
McGregor’s legal issues extend beyond this case. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to assault in Ireland for punching a man at a bar, and in 2018, he received probation in New York for throwing a hand truck at a bus. Despite these controversies, he has maintained his celebrity status, recently appearing alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a remake of “Road House.”
As the mixed martial arts community grapples with this verdict’s implications, the case reminds us that even the most celebrated athletes aren’t above the law. The judgment may mark a turning point in how combat sports address issues of personal conduct and accountability among its stars.