Jury finds UFC star guilty of rape in Dublin

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor was found guilty of sexual assault in a civil trial in Ireland.

A jury in Dublin returned a guilty verdict on Friday that McGregor sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in December 2018. Hand filed a civil suit in early 2021, alleging that while intoxicated, McGregor and another man , James Lawrence, had sexual relations with her without her consent. No full criminal charges were pursued.

The jury, accordingly Irish Mirror journalist Paul Healywho was in the courtroom throughout the trial, returned a verdict that included damages of approximately €250,000 (about the same in US dollars). The jury returned its verdict in just over six hours.

The jury said Lawrence did not attack Hand. During the trial, Hand’s attorney said McGregor and Lawrence made a combined effort to have Lawrence take the fall rather than McGregor.

Hand sought damages — general, special, aggravated and punitive — for the incident and her inability to work for mental health reasons, according to court documents. In the statement of claim reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand sought $1.79 – $2.13 million in damages for the same.

McGregor and his legal team were in the courtroom for the verdict, as was McGregor’s wife, Dee Devlin, with whom he shares four children, the first of whom was born in late 2017. McGregor admitted under oath during the trial that he had sex with Hand during the incident in question in late 2018, but said it was consensual.

The trial ended at the end of the second week. McGregor and another MMA fighter, James Lawrence, faced sexual assault charges in a lawsuit filed by Hand, who claimed they had sex with her without her consent while she was intoxicated in December 2018 at a hotel after a long night of partying. Criminal charges were not fully pursued, but Hand filed a civil suit in 2021.

McGregor has not fought since his July 2021 TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. It’s been more than eight years since he last held a UFC title, which was stripped from him due to a lack of defense. Although he was selected to train on “The Ultimate Fighter” alongside Michael Chandler and fight afterwards, that fight was not completed. UFC CEO Dana White said he expects McGregor to return to the UFC by the end of 2025.

McGregor says he will appeal the decision

McGregor posted on social media that he was disappointed by the decision and planned to appeal, said the “modest award” given to Hand was only for his attack on her and appeared to try to ease his level of guilt saying she was awarded nothing for “aggravated or exemplary damages.”

McGregor also said he was with his family and “focused on my future.”

I will appeal today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP considered. I’m with my family now, focused on my future…

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 22, 2024

The hand speaks out of court

Hand spoke to reporters from a pre-written statement while surrounded by family and friends outside court moments after the verdict was handed down.

“I’m overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everyone,” Hand said. “… (My daughter) has given me the strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to continue to push for justice. I want to show (her) and all the other girls and boys that if something happens to you, you can stand up – no matter who that person is, and justice will be served.”

BREAKING: Nikita Hand speaks outside court. pic.twitter.com/H1K4eit8Ug

— Paul Healy (@Healyhack) November 22, 2024

McGregor’s testimony at the beginning of the trial

McGregor’s time on the stand was split over two days, according to multiple reports, including from The Irish Mirror. McGregor has denied the allegations from the start, including a passionate verbal denial on his first day on the stand last Wednesday, during which McGregor called the allegations “lies” and said the situation had instilled fear in him.

On Thursday, McGregor returned to the stand and was questioned by Hand’s lawyer, John Gordon. McGregor admitted to using cocaine in the hours surrounding the alleged incident, but reiterated that the sex with Hand was consensual and not pre-planned, despite having booked a hotel room.

Gordon asked McGregor about an initial statement given to gardaí, the Irish authorities, during the investigation and why the UFC star answered “no comment” to around 150 questions. McGregor responded that he was “petrified” and followed the advice of his lawyers.

McGregor also denied Hand’s claim that she had a tampon deeply inserted into her during intercourse. A medical worker, who previously testified, was used to remove a tampon during her visit to a local emergency room.

McGregor admitted to paying Lawrence’s legal fees for the case, which Gordon used to claim was a coordinated effort by the two defendants to make Lawrence a “fall man.”

testimony of James Lawrence

Last Thursday, Lawrence spoke publicly about the incident for the first time when he took the stand.

Lawrence denied using cocaine on the night of the incident and said he was not a drug user. He detailed how he and Danielle Kealey, Hand’s roommate who was in the connecting room during the alleged incident, had sex several times in one room while he heard Hand moaning in the other room.

Lawrence added that he could see Hand on top of McGregor through an open door and that there did not appear to be any distress. Lawrence also added that Hand walked into the room while he and Kealey were getting intimate and played a prank on the two of them.

Lawrence admitted to having sex with Hand twice, which Hand said he did not remember and only found out through local authorities’ investigation. Lawrence claims that Hand initiated the intimacy, trying “14, 15 times” to make a move on him.

According to the Irish Mirror, surveillance footage shows the two in the hotel and lift displaying public signs of affection. Hand claims she was intoxicated while this was happening and was taken advantage of.

Lawrence said the sex with Hand was consensual and that she didn’t seem upset, apart from a brief vocal realization that she had betrayed her boyfriend. He said he noticed bruises on Hand, although they weren’t from him. Lawrence said he and Hand ordered food before paying for her ride home.

During questioning, Lawrence confirmed that he was the one who came forward and told police about his alleged sexual encounter with Hand. This came days after McGregor gave his statement to police.

Final arguments

Both attorneys had the opportunity to address the jury one last time during closing arguments.

McGregor’s lawyer, Remy Farrell, went first and asked the jury to make a decision based on the evidence, not their personal opinions of McGregor. Farrell repeatedly pointed to Hand’s erratic recollection of events and brought up Kealey’s testimony that she had not noticed anything amiss. Farrell also brought up the surveillance footage as contradicting her account of her interactions with Lawrence.

Lawrence attorney John Fitzgerald then made his closing argument. He pointed to Lawrence’s “relative obscurity” and disinterest in being in the limelight. Fitzgerald echoed Lawrence’s denial of being a “fall man” and brought up Kealey and the surveillance footage as well.

Eventually, Hand’s attorney, Gordon, returned and reiterated his client’s allegations that she had been forcibly raped. Gordon brought evidence from medical professionals, including paramedic Eithne Scully, who pointed to the scene in the ambulance with Hand after the incident was one of the worst she had ever been in.

Gordon showed the testimony of Dr. Ann Leader that Hand suffers from PTSD as a result of the incident. Gordon also brought up the bruises on Hand and the tampon that was deposited in her vagina.