The court found MMA fighter McGregor guilty of assaulting and raping a woman.

The High Court of Ireland has issued a verdict against Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor in a case involving the assault and rape of a woman at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. The athlete is required to pay nearly €250,000 in compensation to the victim. This was reported by The Guardian on Friday, November 22.

Lawyers for 35-year-old Nikita Ghand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhín, accused 36-year-old McGregor of brutal rape and assault against the woman. The victim had invited the athlete to join her and her friend at a work Christmas party at the Beacon hotel in Dublin in December 2018.

According to Ghand, McGregor took them to a penthouse party at the hotel, where they consumed drugs and alcohol. McGregor allegedly then took Ghand to a bedroom and raped her. The victim's lawyer stated that his client was on antidepressants and "under the influence of drugs" at the time.

In turn, McGregor denied all allegations, claiming that the sexual encounter with Nikita Ghand was "consensual." He also denied beating the woman and leaving bruises on her body. In court, the athlete stated that Ghand's accusations against him were "full of lies bordering on fantasies."

After a six-hour deliberation, the jury reached a verdict against the Irish fighter, ordering him to pay Nikita Ghand nearly €250,000 in compensation. Later, Conor McGregor announced that he would appeal this decision.

The High Court of Ireland was also considering a case against Conor McGregor's friend, James Lawrence, whom Nikita Ghand also accused of assaulting her at the hotel in Dublin. However, Ghand lost that legal battle.

What is known about Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is a 36-year-old Irish mixed martial arts fighter, a former two-time champion in the featherweight and lightweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of September 2022, he ranked 12th in the UFC lightweight division.

Conor made his MMA debut in 2008, defeating Gary Morris by technical knockout in the third round. The athlete has announced his retirement from MMA three times – in 2016, 2019, and 2020.

In January and July 2021, McGregor fought twice in the UFC. In October 2023, McGregor stated that he wishes to return to fighting.

In 2018, during the World Cup final match, McGregor met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a "leader" and wishing Russia to move forward, sharing a joint photo with the Russian president on Instagram. In 2019, the athlete visited Ukraine as an ambassador for the betting holding Parimatch. Afterwards, he traveled back to Russia.

Following the start of the full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was a fan of Conor, criticized the Irishman for his photo with Putin.

In 2023, McGregor spoke out against non-Irish citizens voting in local elections. The Irish government deemed such statements as anti-immigrant and began an investigation into incitement to hatred. In September 2024, McGregor hinted that he plans to run for the presidency of Ireland.

Since 2008, McGregor has been in a relationship with Dee Devlin, and the couple has four children.

In the summer of 2023, media reported that Conor McGregor assaulted a woman in a restroom during the NBA finals. The athlete allegedly raped the woman during oral sex. The victim managed to escape by elbowing McGregor.