A woman who alleged that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in 2018 was awarded nearly €250,000 ($257,000) by a civil court jury in Ireland on Friday.
Nikita Hand, 35, testified that the assault, which occurred after a night of partying, left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Speaking after the verdict, she expressed hope her case would inspire other survivors to seek justice.
Hand Claims Assault Left Her Traumatized
Hand filed the civil case after Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions declined to pursue criminal charges, citing insufficient prospects for a conviction. During the two-week trial, Hand provided detailed testimony about the alleged assault at the Beacon Hotel in south Dublin following a work Christmas party.
According to her testimony, McGregor joined her and a friend at the party and later invited them to his penthouse, where drugs and alcohol were consumed. She alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her in a bedroom during the early morning hours.
Hand said she repeatedly told McGregor she didn't want to have sex with him and mentioned she was menstruating. Despite saying "no" as he began kissing her, she claimed he pinned her to the bed, rendering her unable to move.
She further alleged McGregor put her in a chokehold and, during the attack, mockingly referenced his UFC career, saying, "Now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times."
"I thought I would never see my child again," Hand testified. Medical professionals who examined her the following day documented extensive bruising and injuries consistent with her account. She was later diagnosed with PTSD resulting from the incident.
In a statement following the verdict, Hand thanked her family and local rape crisis center staff for their support. "To all victims of sexual assault, I hope my story reminds you that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up. You have a voice. Keep fighting for justice," she said, as reported by The Guardian.
McGregor Denies Allegations, Plans Appeal
McGregor denied the allegations, insisting the encounter was consensual and calling the accusations "lies" and "fantasy."
After the jury's decision, McGregor announced his intention to appeal, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that the judgment did not reflect the evidence presented. "The judge's instruction and the modest award were for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence," McGregor wrote.
He testified that their interaction was consensual and "athletic," but not rough. "She never said 'no' or stopped," he claimed, calling her testimony false. Addressing the chokehold allegation, McGregor said, "It's a full-blown lie among many lies. How anyone could believe that I, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings?"
McGregor's lawyer, Remy Farrell, urged jurors to put aside personal feelings about the fighter. "You may actively dislike him, some of you may even loathe him – I'm not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch," Farrell said.
The defense pointed out that Hand did not initially tell investigators McGregor had threatened her life. They also presented surveillance footage showing Hand kissing McGregor's arm and hugging him as they left the hotel room, suggesting she appeared "happy, happy, happy."
While the jury found McGregor liable, his legal team emphasized that the award was limited to basic assault damages, underscoring their intention to challenge the decision in higher courts.
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