Conor McGregor ordered to pay €1 million in court costs following s*xual assault case

Conor McGregor, the MMA superstar, faces another major legal setback. Following a civil trial where he was found liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in 2018, McGregor has been ordered to pay substantial court costs and damages. This decision intensifies his ongoing legal troubles and impacts his public reputation and business ventures.

Court Costs and Damages Exceed €1 Million

On Thursday, Mr. Justice Alexander Owens ruled that McGregor must cover the legal costs incurred by Hand, which could exceed €1 million (approximately $1.05 million USD). This includes €248,603.60 ($258,440 USD) in damages awarded to Hand after a jury found McGregor liable in the civil lawsuit.

Although the judge denied Hand’s request for costs at the highest possible level, McGregor is still required to pay a significant sum. Notably, James Lawrence, McGregor’s co-defendant, was cleared of liability and cannot recover costs from Hand.

Hand accused McGregor of rape and assault at a Dublin hotel in 2018, while McGregor countered by claiming the encounter was “athletic, physical, but consensual.” The trial spanned 11 days and ended with a jury siding against the former two-division champion.

Judge Warns McGregor Over Social Media Outbursts

McGregor’s social media posts criticizing the verdict have prompted warnings from the court. Justice Owens described McGregor’s comments as “highly irresponsible” and suggested he could face contempt of court charges if his behavior continues.

The judge emphasized that McGregor’s wealth wouldn’t shield him from legal repercussions, saying the fighter could “afford any penalty” resulting from contempt proceedings.

Despite the ruling, McGregor and his legal team remain determined to challenge the verdict. His attorneys confirmed that an appeal is “highly likely,” although they have yet to disclose further details about their strategy.

Fallout Impacts Business and Public Image

The case’s aftermath has significantly affected McGregor’s business relationships and public image. Proximo Spirits, the company behind the Proper No. 12 whiskey brand, announced it would cut ties with McGregor. Once the brand’s ambassador, McGregor is no longer associated with Proper No. 12, nor does he retain any ownership stake.

McGregor also addressed the trial’s personal ramifications. In a public statement, he admitted to infidelity and expressed regret for jeopardizing his relationship with his fiancée, Dee Devlin, with whom he shares four children.

“I know I made mistakes,” McGregor wrote. “I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me. But everything that happened that night was consensual.”

Devlin also issued her own statement, defending McGregor and challenging Hand’s accusations. Despite the legal and personal challenges, she remains publicly supportive of her fiancé.

Mounting Challenges for McGregor

Conor McGregor faces escalating challenges as he contends with significant legal penalties, a potential contempt charge, and the loss of key business partnerships.

While McGregor’s team is preparing to appeal, the damage to his reputation and finances has been considerable. His future in both the sports world and as a business mogul is uncertain.

This case serves as a stark reminder that even the most successful and influential figures are not immune to the consequences of their actions. McGregor’s ability to recover from these setbacks—both professionally and personally—will define the next chapter of his career.