EDDIE HEARN admits Matchroom Boxing will re-evaluate its relationship with Conor McGregor following the outcome of his civil court case.
McGregor, 36, was last week found liable to have assaulted a woman – Nikita Hand – at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The UFC superstar was accused of “raping and battering” Ms Hand at the Beacon Hotel during a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled bender – an accusation he’s vehemently denied.
Several brands – including Proper No. 12 Whiskey – have distanced themselves from the MMA mogul in light of the verdict.
And Hearn has hinted that Matchroom – who struck a partnership with the Irishman‘s Forged Irish Stout last May – could soon follow suit.
The 45-year-old told Pro Boxing fans: “We gotta digest all the information which is coming out thick and fast.
“And we have a responsibility to look at all our partnerships.
“And we’ll do that in the immediate future and decide as a business what we’re gonna do.”
McGregor was ordered to pay Ms Hand £206,000 (€250,000) in damages as a result of last week’s ruling, which came after just over six hours of deliberation from the jury.
But he’s vowed to appeal the verdict, writing on X: “I will be appealing today’s decision.
FORMER UFC champion Conor McGregor was found to have assaulted a woman who accused him of raping her in a Dublin hotel, a civil court jury found on Friday.
The 36-year-old was accused of “brutally raping and battering” Nikita Hand in December 2018.
He will now have to pay Ms Hand 248,603.60 euros in damages.
Despite losing his case, McGregor has vowed to appeal.
The Irishman’s future in MMA and UFC is now in doubt. He hasn’t been in the octagon since July 2021 when he broke his leg and was stopped against Dustin Poirier.
Here’s what SunSport’s chief MMA reporter Chisanga Malata had to say about the situation…
“The ruling, which came in a civil court, not a criminal court, has given the UFC arguably its biggest-ever headache in its 31-year run. MMA chiefs will now have to make a major decision over their poster boy.
“Personally, I think he fights again. There is a precedent for it. Just look at the man who fought Jake Paul last week.
“Of course, I’m talking about former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who was sent to jail in the 1990s for rape. He came out and he had a successful career after that, making millions upon millions of pounds before retiring in 2005.
“Sadly, there is a precedent for it. But the UFC now has a massive decision to make. As I said, I think he fights again. I think they stick to the plan that was announced last week at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference and they have him fight late 2025.
“Perhaps they said late 2025 in anticipation of this ruling not going McGregor’s way and giving some time for this to blow over – even though something of this magnitude can never, ever blow over.
“I believe McGregor will fight again barring a sensational decision from Dana White and all the investors and they axe their poster boy. But I just don’t see that happening and I do see him returning to the octagon late next year.
“Questions will have to be asked of the UFC and rightly so. But more so of the man himself, Mr McGregor.”
“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.”
A few days later, ‘The Notorious’ added: “People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes.
“I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me.
“I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.
“I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.
“That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym – the fight game awaits!”
McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier nearly three-and-a-half years ago.
