Conor McGregor Loses Appeal in Irish Civil Sexual-Assault Case

Ireland’s three-judge Court of Appeal on Thursday dismissed every ground of Conor McGregor’s challenge to November’s civil verdict that found him liable for sexually assaulting Dublin woman Nikita Hand in a hotel penthouse in 2018. The ruling leaves intact the original order requiring the former UFC champion to pay €250,000 in damages—plus more than €1 million in legal costs—and marks the final avenue of appeal in Ireland’s civil system.‍

In a 42-page judgment, Justice Caroline Costello wrote that the trial judge’s instructions “fairly and accurately conveyed the substance of the allegations” and that questions posed to McGregor about inconsistencies in his police interview were properly admitted. McGregor, 36, did not attend the hearing; Hand broke into tears outside Dublin’s Courts of Justice, telling reporters the decision “lets other survivors know you can fight the powerful and win.”‍

McGregor’s spokesperson said he “vehemently maintains the encounter was consensual” and is reviewing “limited options” that remain, including a potential appeal to the European Court of Human Rights—an uphill battle that would not pause enforcement. The UFC declined comment, while sponsor DraftKings said it is “monitoring the situation.” Legal analysts note the affirmed judgment could complicate McGregor’s planned October comeback bout and expose him to further civil claims in the United States, where he faces an ongoing perjury probe linked to the same incident.