Conor McGregor was recently found liable for sexual assault by a Dublin jury in a civil case stemming from an incident in December 2018. The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, alleged that McGregor sexually assaulted her at the Beacon Hotel after a night of heavy partying and substance use. She provided evidence of severe bruising and emotional trauma, which she attributed to the assault. McGregor, however, argued that her injuries were unrelated, even suggesting alternative causes such as an accident in the bathtub.
In December 2018, Conor McGregor, then 30 years old, was at the height of his career. He had become a global sensation after securing two UFC titles, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s biggest stars. The previous year, McGregor had faced boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a highly publicized bout, generating an estimated $130 million despite losing the match. The fight further elevated his “Notorious” persona, drawing fans worldwide and making him one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports.
Nikita Hand, then 29, testified that while she and Conor McGregor didn’t know each other well, they were from the same Dublin area and had mutual acquaintances. Her boyfriend was friends with the brother of Dee Devlin, McGregor’s long-term partner. Hand stated that there had been some communication between her and McGregor on Instagram in the months leading up to the incident.
She recounted commenting on McGregor’s Instagram about wanting a bottle of his whiskey.
The court heard that by the early hours of December 19, 2018, Nikita Hand had been awake for 24 hours, having started her day at work before attending a Christmas party. After initial drinks with colleagues at the salon in Goatstown, Dublin, they continued at the Ayrfield venue before returning to The Goat pub. When it closed after midnight, the group resumed drinking back at the salon.
