Conor McGregor loses appeal in sexual assault case
Conor McGregor has lost his appeal against the ruling in a civil case for sexual assault that was resolved against him last year.
McGregor, 37, was found guilty of sexual assault in November in a civil case in the Irish High Court. The lawsuit originated from the accusation of a woman who claimed to have been assaulted by the former UFC star in a hotel room in 2018. A jury ruled in favor of the woman and ordered McGregor to pay 248,000 euros, approximately $257,000.
McGregor filed an appeal against that decision earlier this year.
On Thursday, the High Court ruled against McGregor again and dismissed the appeal in all respects, according to several reports. McGregor’s legal team presented several arguments, including new testimony from the woman’s neighbor, who described seeing her in a physical altercation before the incident with McGregor. McGregor’s team withdrew that argument earlier this month.
According to the Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, the woman stated before the High Court that she met McGregor at a Christmas party in 2018 in Dublin. She accused him of forcing her onto a bed, strangling her, and making her fear for her life. McGregor, who has four children with his long-time partner, admitted to having had sexual relations with the woman, but denied that it was violent or forced. He did not face any criminal proceedings regarding the incident.
McGregor (22-6) has not competed in mixed martial arts since suffering a leg fracture in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. Earlier this month, he said he had undergone drug tests as part of the UFC’s mandatory testing program, in a step towards his return to competition. He has expressed interest in making an appearance at a proposed UFC event at the White House in 2026.
