LONDON (AP) — A civil court jury in Ireland awarded a woman nearly 250,000 Euros (approximately $257,000) on Friday after she alleged that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a hotel penthouse in Dublin. The verdict came after a lengthy trial in which both parties presented their accounts of the events that occurred on December 9, 2018.
The woman, Nikita Hand, testified that she suffered severe bruising and developed post-traumatic stress disorder following the assault, which she maintains occurred after a night of partying. She expressed her hope to move on with her life, acknowledging the emotional toll the incident has taken on her. Outside the courthouse, with her voice shaking, she thanked her family, friends, and supporters, particularly highlighting the strength her daughter has provided her throughout the years of struggle.
“I want to demonstrate to (my daughter) and every other individual that it is possible to stand up for yourself, regardless of who the perpetrator is, and that justice can prevail,” Hand stated. The Associated Press generally does not disclose the identities of alleged victims of sexual violence unless they publicly come forward, as Hand did during the trial.
In contrast, McGregor, a former UFC champion whose career has waned, testified that he did not force Hand to do anything against her will, claiming that their encounter was consensual. His lawyer labeled Hand a “gold digger,” suggesting that she fabricated the allegations after their sexual encounter.
Following six hours of deliberation, the jury, composed of eight women and four men, found McGregor liable for assault, resulting in his emotional reaction as he shook his head in disbelief. Upon leaving the courthouse, he was met by a swarm of media but refrained from commenting, later announcing on the social platform X that he plans to appeal the ruling and the “modest award.”
Hand’s testimony included distressing details about the night in question, where she claimed that McGregor had picked her and a friend up and shared cocaine en route to the hotel. She maintained that she informed McGregor she did not want to engage in sexual activity and attempted to refuse him, stating “no” as he began to kiss her. Ultimately, she described being pinned to the bed and held in a chokehold during the incident, during which she feared for her life.
Throughout the trial, witnesses provided conflicting accounts. McGregor’s attorney argued that he was a victim of circumstance, referencing a previous fight he lost in Las Vegas and asserting that Hand had approached him for fun. The defense also presented video evidence they argued showed Hand had displayed affection towards McGregor after leaving the hotel room, which they interpreted as inconsistent with her allegations.
As the trial unfolded, Hand described the trauma she faced following the attack. A paramedic who examined her testified that they had never seen a level of bruising as intense as hers. Furthermore, Hand reported that the ordeal left her unable to continue her job as a hairdresser, leading to financial difficulties and forcing her to move out of her home.
Despite a police investigation, prosecutors opted not to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence for a likely conviction. McGregor expressed disappointment that the jury did not have access to all of the evidence previously evaluated by prosecutors, calling Hand’s claims “a full blown lie.” He further insisted that their sexual encounter was athletic and consensual, dismissing the notion of any coercion.
In a related matter, the jury rejected Hand’s allegations against one of McGregor’s friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of non-consensual sexual engagement in the hotel.
