UFC Fighter Conor McGregor Denies Sexual Assault Allegations in Civil Trial.
UFC fighter Conor McGregor, 36, has denied allegations of sexual assault brought against him by Nikita Ni Laimhin, who is also known as Nikita Hand, during the ongoing civil trial in Dublin. McGregor, testifying for the first time on the sixth day of proceedings, firmly rejected accusations that he raped Hand in a hotel room in December 2018.
Nikita Hand Photo: Collins Courts
UFC fighter Conor McGregor has strongly denied the sexual assault allegations made by Nikita Hand in the ongoing civil trial in Dublin. Testifying on the sixth day of the proceedings, McGregor categorically rejected the claims that he raped Hand in a hotel room in December 2018. The two had met at a work costume party before the alleged incident, where McGregor, Hand, and two others, including McGregor's friend James Lawrence, consumed cocaine before heading to a hotel. The trial is expected to conclude in approximately two weeks, with Judge Alex Owens overseeing the case.
In his testimony, Conor McGregor presented a starkly different account from Nikita Hand's, who claims she was assaulted while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. McGregor denied all allegations, stating, “Lies and more lies,” and insisting that Hand made the first move that evening, initiating sexual activity, which he characterized as entirely consensual.
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Hand's version of events alleges that Conor McGregor forcibly stripped her and assaulted her while she struggled to resist. McGregor refuted this, asserting that the sexual encounter was mutual, and Nikita Hand made the initial advances. He also contested claims that she was bruised during the encounter, asserting, "I will tell you where she didn’t get the bruises from, me.”
Over the course of the trial, several witnesses, including emergency room staff and detectives, supported Hand’s version of events, with reports confirming injuries that aligned with her account. Additionally, Hand’s mental health and work productivity reportedly declined after the incident, corroborating her claims. Hand is seeking damages for lost wages, medical expenses, and relocation costs, which range from $1.79 million to $2.13 million.
Conor McGregor’s defense is bolstered by statements from Kealey, Nikita Hand's colleague, who was staying in a nearby hotel room during the incident. Kealey testified that she did not notice any injuries on Hand when she left the room and found nothing unusual about her demeanor. She also admitted to having sexual relations with Lawrence that evening, but was unable to provide details about what transpired between Conor McGregor and Nikita Hand.
