Conor McGregor was found liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in 2018 by a Dublin court, ordered to pay damages, and plans to appeal the decision while maintaining his innocence.
Conor McGregor, ever the defiant figure, maintains he’s done nothing wrong. On Friday, a Dublin jury found him liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in 2018. The trial, stretching over 11 days, saw Hand’s team present testimony from both a physician and a psychologist, asserting that McGregor “raped and battered” her. McGregor countered with claims of consensual relations, describing the encounter as “athletic, physical.”
Ultimately, the jury sided against McGregor in this civil case. He’s been ordered to pay Hand €248,603.60—roughly $258,440. Following the verdict, McGregor took to Twitter to express his intent to appeal. Though he deleted his initial tweet, he returned to the platform on Saturday. There, he reiterated his innocence and doubled down on his plans to challenge the decision.
“Justice was served for James Lawrence, yes! Deplorable what they done. Nikita Hand, vicious liar! APPEAL!” McGregor exclaimed in one tweet. In another: “Falsely accused a man of rape and lost.”
James Lawrence, also accused alongside McGregor, was not found liable. But McGregor wasn’t done yet; he unleashed a lengthy response on Twitter that remains visible. He labeled the proceedings a “kangaroo court” and insisted the accusations were lies.
In a fiery post, he declared: “Two men falsely accused. One vindicated, the other soon to be! Congrats James Lawrence on absolute exoneration!” He further criticized the damages awarded—€60k and €188k—as curious figures.
McGregor’s words paint a picture of disbelief at how these “lies” were accepted by the court. He denounced it as a “court of feeling and opinion,” influenced by mainstream media rather than fact. His resolve remains unshaken: “We are not done yet. Not by a long shot. No chance. On we fight!”
Despite this legal turmoil, McGregor’s star power in MMA remains unmatched. The first simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history hasn’t fought in over three years due to injury setbacks. UFC CEO Dana White hinted at a return in late 2025—though whether this lawsuit impacts that timeline is anyone’s guess.
And so the saga continues…