Mixed martial arts icon Conor McGregor suffered a legal blow on Thursday as the Irish Court of Appeal rejected his bid to overturn a previous civil ruling that found him liable in a rape case filed by a woman named Nikita Hand.
A panel of three judges in Dublin dismissed every ground McGregor’s legal team put forward in an attempt to challenge the November 2023 decision by the High Court, which ordered the 36-year-old fighter to pay nearly €250,000 (approximately $258,000) in damages to Hand, 35. The panel’s decision marks a significant setback for the Irish sports star, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the sexual encounter was consensual.
During the original civil trial, the court heard disturbing allegations that McGregor had “brutally raped and battered” Hand in a Dublin hotel back in 2018. The civil proceedings, which concluded with a jury ruling in Hand’s favor, also resulted in McGregor being instructed to cover all legal costs of the case—a figure estimated at around €1.5 million ($1.58 million).
In an effort to reverse the ruling, McGregor appealed the outcome and pushed for a retrial. His legal representatives argued that the High Court trial was flawed, claiming judicial errors had occurred, including issues concerning the cross-examination process. However, the Court of Appeal found no merit in these claims and stood by the original judgment.
While the case against McGregor proceeded, a related civil suit for assault filed by Hand against a second man was dismissed.
Notably absent from the courtroom during the month-long appeal process, McGregor continued to maintain a public presence elsewhere. In March, he made headlines after meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House during a Saint Patrick’s Day visit.
He has also made waves in Ireland by aligning with anti-immigration rhetoric and recently declared his intention to run in the upcoming Irish presidential election, scheduled no later than mid-November. Although the presidency is primarily ceremonial and holds no executive power, McGregor’s ambition to enter politics has fueled further media attention. However, significant procedural and political barriers stand in his path to securing a place on the ballot.
Following Thursday’s ruling, Nikita Hand addressed the press, sharing the emotional toll the appeal had taken on her. “This appeal has retraumatised me,” she said, “but I can now finally move on and try to heal.” She extended a message of solidarity to other survivors of sexual violence: “To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please don’t be silenced, you deserve to be heard, you also deserve justice.”
Conor McGregor, often known by his nickname “The Notorious,” is one of the most recognizable figures in the history of the UFC. A former featherweight and lightweight champion, he helped elevate mixed martial arts to mainstream global popularity. Nonetheless, his public image has been marred by multiple controversies and legal troubles.
In addition to the Irish civil case, McGregor is also facing a sexual assault lawsuit in the United States. Filed in January 2025, the complaint stems from an alleged incident at an NBA game in Miami in 2023.
What you should know
Conor McGregor’s attempt to overturn a civil ruling over rape allegations has been dismissed by Ireland’s Court of Appeal.
The court upheld a €250,000 compensation order to Nikita Hand and confirmed McGregor must also pay around €1.5 million in legal costs.
While McGregor maintains the encounter was consensual, the court found no fault in the original trial proceedings.
This comes amid McGregor’s ambitions to run for Ireland’s presidency, even as he faces legal issues in both Ireland and the US.
