Conor McGregor, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, is making headlines again—this time not for his fights in the octagon but for a controversial court ruling. On Friday, McGregor was found liable in a civil trial for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018. The jury’s decision came after an 11-day trial in Dublin’s High Court, resulting in McGregor being ordered to pay €248,603.60 (approximately $258,440) in damages.

The Trial and Verdict

Hand accused McGregor of assaulting her in a case that included testimony from medical and psychological experts. McGregor, however, denied the allegations, maintaining that the sexual encounter was consensual, describing it as “athletic” and “physical.” Despite his claims, the jury sided with Hand, holding McGregor liable.

A second man, James Lawrence, who was also accused by Hand, was cleared of liability.

McGregor’s Response

In the wake of the verdict, McGregor has fiercely denied any wrongdoing and announced his plans to appeal the decision. While his initial response on Twitter was deleted shortly after being posted, the UFC star returned to the platform the following day to voice his frustrations.

“Justice was served for James Lawrence, yes! Deplorable what they done. Nikita Hand, vicious liar! APPEAL!” McGregor wrote in one tweet.

He followed up with another tweet, saying, “Falsely accused a man of rape and lost.”

McGregor then issued a more detailed statement, in which he lashed out at the legal proceedings, calling them a “kangaroo court” and accusing the media and court system of bias.

“Two men falsely accused. One vindicated, the other soon to be!” McGregor wrote. “We know what happened that night! Everyone present knows, yet it was ignored. Every single statement of persons present on the night was ignored, and they all disputed Nikita’s LIES!”

He also questioned the damages awarded, suggesting the court didn’t fully believe Hand’s account:
“How these lies were accepted, I will never know. A court of feeling and opinion… not of fact! This is not a court of hard evidence and truth. It is a kangaroo court of opinions and feelings. We are not done yet. Not by a long shot. No chance. On we fight! Justice and truth will prevail!”

What’s Next for McGregor?

Known for being MMA’s first simultaneous two-division champion and one of the sport’s biggest global stars, McGregor hasn’t competed in over three years. While he was initially slated to make a return earlier this year at UFC 303, a toe injury delayed his comeback. UFC CEO Dana White has hinted at a possible return in late 2025, but it remains to be seen how this legal battle will affect McGregor’s timeline.

As the appeal process looms, McGregor remains steadfast in his denial of the allegations, claiming the truth will ultimately come to light. For now, fans and critics alike will watch closely as the story continues to unfold.