Conor McGregor Appeals Sexual Assault Verdict, Faces New Legal Challenges

DUBLIN, Ireland — Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion, has officially appealed a court verdict that found him liable for sexual assault in a civil lawsuit. The appeal was filed on Friday, marking his first step in challenging the November 2023 ruling by an Irish jury, which ordered him to pay approximately €248,000 (around $257,000) and cover legal fees for the complainant, Nikita Hand.

The lawsuit stems from an alleged incident in December 2018, where Hand accused McGregor of choking her and making her fear for her life in a hotel room. McGregor, 36, has consistently denied the accusations, asserting that any interaction was consensual. Following the verdict, he publicly expressed his intention to fight the ruling, stating, “I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.”

Penalties from sponsors swiftly followed the jury’s decision, including Proximo Spirits, which distanced itself from the Irish whiskey brand Proper No. 12 that McGregor co-founded. Also affected was IO Interactive, which removed McGregor’s character from its popular “Hitman” video game series.

In a since-deleted social media post, McGregor conveyed his regret about past mistakes but maintained his innocence regarding the encounter with Hand. “Everything that happened that night was consensual, and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath,” he stated.

Simultaneously, McGregor is facing another civil lawsuit for sexual battery related to an incident during the 2023 NBA Finals in Miami. A woman, identified only as Jane Doe, claims that McGregor sexually assaulted her in a bathroom during Game 4 of the Miami Heat versus Denver Nuggets series. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with this latest allegation.

McGregor, known for becoming the first UFC fighter to hold two championships simultaneously, has not fought since suffering a broken leg in July 2021, during a TKO loss. He was scheduled to return to competition last June but had to withdraw from a fight due to a toe injury. His future in the UFC remains uncertain as he navigates these legal challenges.

As McGregor prepares for what could potentially be a long legal battle, he continues to maintain engagement with his fanbase, asserting, “I am beyond grateful to my family, friends, and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.”