A jury in Dublin High Court has found UFC star Conor McGregor civilly liable for the sexual assault of Nikita Hand in a 2018 encounter at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin.
The jury ordered McGregor to pay Hand €248,603.60 ($259,025) in damages after concluding he had assaulted her during their meeting on December 9, 2018. Hand testified that McGregor, alongside another man, James Lawrence, raped her. However, the jury did not find Lawrence responsible for the assault.
In response to the verdict, McGregor denied all allegations, insisting that any interactions between them were consensual. He also rejected claiming that he caused Hand’s injuries, including bruises on her body. When Hand filed the lawsuit in 2021, she sought damages of up to $2 million, claiming she suffered physical and emotional harm. Lost wages, and had to relocate due to harassment following her decision to come forward. She also filed a personal injury lawsuit, which remains pending.
Hand expressed gratitude after the ruling, thanking her family, friends, and legal team for their support. She issued a powerful statement, emphasizing the importance of standing up for oneself in cases of assault.
“I want to show my daughter and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served,” Hand said. “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.”
While the verdict was civil, not criminal, the court did not find McGregor “guilty” of any criminal offenses. The civil case had a lower evidentiary standard, requiring the jury to determine that it was more likely than not that McGregor had assaulted Hand, rather than beyond a reasonable doubt.
McGregor has right to appeal decision, with option of bringing case to the Court of Appeal and potentially Supreme Court. The fighter has not competed in UFC since suffering a leg-injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. McGregor has also had multiple proposed bouts with Michael Chandler that have yet to materialize.
Shortly after the ruling, McGregor posted a statement on social media, confirming his intention to appeal.
“I will be appealing today’s decision,” he wrote. “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given were for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the [Director of Public Prosecutions] reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”
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