STAR'S ATTACK
Conor McGregor DID assault Nikita Hand who accused him of rape in Dublin hotel, jury in civil case rules
The martial arts fighter was accused of 'brutally raping and battering' Nikita Hand
CONOR McGregor did assault a woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel, a civil court jury found today.
The Irish mixed martial arts fighter, 36, was accused of "brutally raping and battering" Nikita Hand at a hotel in south Dublin in December 2018.
6
6
6
6
6
The Irish sports star - who arrived hand in hand with his partner Dee Devlin - previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand, 35, in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel.
However, the jury in the civil case against McGregor today found he did assault the mum-of-one on a Christmas night out.
The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euros.
Read more on Conor McGregor's case...
- A civil court jury today found Conor McGregor DID assault Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her
- Ms Hand to her young daughter outside court
- McGregor’s partner Dee was seen leaving court in tears
- McGregor breaks silence & vows to appeal
McGregor shook his head after the jury - who spent six hours and 10 minutes deliberating - read out that Ms Hand had won her case against him.
But she lost her case against another man, James Lawrence, who she claimed also "brutally raped and battered" her in a hotel penthouse during a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled afterparty.
Michael Chandler 'WASTED' two years waiting for huge Conor McGregor payday but can soften blow at UFC 309 vs Oliveira
Both had denied her allegation, and claimed the sex was consensual.
Most read in Irish News
Mr Lawrence was found not to have assaulted her.
Earlier in the case, McGregor described Ms Hand's allegations as "lies" and claimed they had "enthusiastic and athletic" sex.
The cage fighter was shown photos of bruises on Ms Hand's body taken in the days after the alleged assault.
Under cross-examination, McGregor denied causing the bruises, saying they "possibly came from her diving into the bath".
Ms Hand's barrister highlighted how a tampon had to be removed from her using forceps in hospital when she attended after the alleged rape.
Mr Gordon said: "The liar here is McGregor who doesn't have the courage or the decency to own up to what he did.
"He's not a man, he's a devious coward and you should treat him for what he is."
And referring to bruising on Ms Hand's body, Mr Gordon said: "Let's put it this way: somebody did it. It happened in the Beacon Hotel. It was McGregor."
Speaking outside court, Ms Hand said: "I would like to start off by saying I'm by the support I have received from everybody."
She then went on to thank an array of people who supported her during the case, before adding an emotional tribute to her daughter.
While sobbing, she said: "Lastly I want to thank my daughter Freya, who I'm most grateful for.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare, to keep on pushing forward for justice.
"I want to show Freya 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."
Does Conor McGregor have any chance of continuing UFC career?
FORMER UFC champion Conor McGregor did assault a woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel, a civil court jury found on Friday.
The 36-year-old was accused of "brutally raping and battering" Nikita Hand in December 2018.
He will now have to pay Ms Hand 248,603.60 euros in damages.
Despite losing his case, McGregor has vowed to appeal.
The Irishman's future in MMA and UFC is now in doubt. He hasn't been in the octagon since July 2021 when he broke his leg and was stopped against Dustin Poirier.
Here's what SunSport's chief MMA reporter Chisanga Malata had to say about the situation...
"The ruling, which came in a civil court, not a criminal court, has given the UFC arguably its biggest-ever headache in its 31-year run. MMA chiefs will now have to make a major decision over their poster boy.
"Personally, I think he fights again. There is a precedent for it. Just look at the man who fought Jake Paul last week.
"Of course, I'm talking about former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who was sent to jail in the 1990s for rape. He came out and he had a successful career after that, making millions upon millions of pounds before retiring in 2005.
"Sadly, there is a precedent for it. But the UFC now has a massive decision to make. As I said, I think he fights again. I think they stick to the plan that was announced last week at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference and they have him fight late 2025.
"Perhaps they said late 2025 in anticipation of this ruling not going McGregor's way and giving some time for this to blow over - even though something of this magnitude can never, ever blow over.
"I believe McGregor will fight again barring a sensational decision from Dana White and all the investors and they axe their poster boy. But I just don't see that happening and I do see him returning to the octagon late next year.
"Questions will have to be asked of the UFC and rightly so. But more so of the man himself, Mr McGregor."
6
Topics