Conor McGregor released his first statement after a jury found him liable of sexual assault in a civil case filed against him in Ireland.
The jury handed down the verdict on Friday after McGregor was accused of sexually assaulting a woman named Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel back in 2018. As a result, McGregor was hit with damages and ordered to pay Hand €248,603.60 (approx. $258,440).
While McGregor rushed out of the courtroom without speaking to reporters, he issued a statement via Twitter addressing the allegations along with his plans to appeal the verdict.
“I will be appealing today’s decision,” McGregor wrote. “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.
“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”
I will be appealing today's decision. The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future.…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 22, 2024
James Lawrence, another defendant also accused of assault alongside McGregor, was found not liable.
The allegations against McGregor stemmed from an incident that took place in 2018 when Hand accused the UFC fighter of sexually assaulting her at the Beacon Hotel penthouse suite in Sandyford, Dublin, Hand and her attorneys argued in court that she was out with McGregor when he attempted to force her to have sex.
During testimony, Hand claimed that she later told a friend that McGregor “raped and battered” her.
McGregor later testified in court and admitted to having sex with Hand but claimed all acts were consensual. The 36-year-old fighter stated in court that the sex was “athletic, physical” but he vehemently denied assaulting her.
While testifying in court, McGregor also told Hand’s attorney “your client is full of lies. Everything is a lie.”
A two-year investigation by police ended without any criminal charges being filed but Hand eventually filed a lawsuit against McGregor with the trial starting in November and ultimately running for 11 days before the jury handed down the verdict.
