Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has failed in his attempt to overturn a civil court ruling that found him liable for sexual assault. The Irish Court of Appeal rejected his arguments, upholding a previous decision ordering him to pay substantial damages to the plaintiff, Nikita Hand.
The case stems from a 2018 incident in a Dublin hotel, where Hand accused McGregor of rape. Last year, a jury ruled in her favor, awarding her over £200,000 in compensation. McGregor’s legal team challenged the verdict, claiming procedural errors, including the phrasing of a key question posed to jurors. However, the appellate judges dismissed these objections, stating there was no risk of jury confusion.
Hand, who attended the hearing, spoke afterward about the emotional toll of the prolonged legal battle. “This process has forced me to relive the trauma repeatedly,” she said. “But I hope my case encourages other survivors to seek justice.”
McGregor, who was not present for the ruling, has consistently denied the allegations. His legal team had also contested the inclusion of his police interviews, where he repeatedly declined to answer questions. The court ruled that his right to silence did not invalidate the trial’s fairness.
Additionally, an attempt to introduce new witness testimony—alleging Hand’s injuries were caused by a past partner—was withdrawn before the appeal. The judges expressed skepticism over the sudden abandonment of this argument.
The ruling solidifies the earlier judgment, requiring McGregor to cover Hand’s legal expenses as well. Meanwhile, public sentiment in Ireland toward the once-revered fighter has shifted, with many distancing themselves from the embattled athlete.
