31st July 2025 | Dublin, Ireland Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has lost his appeal in a high-profile civil rape case brought against him by Irish woman Nikita Hand, following a unanimous ruling by Ireland’s Court of Appeal. The court upheld the original jury’s verdict, which found McGregor liable for sexually assaulting Hand at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
In a scathing ruling, the three-judge panel dismissed all five grounds raised by McGregor’s legal team, labeling some of the arguments as “gossamer-thin.” The court affirmed that there were no procedural errors in the original trial and that the evidence presented was sufficient to uphold the jury’s decision.
Background of the Case
The case centers around an incident that occurred in the penthouse suite of the Beacon Hotel, where Hand accused McGregor of violently raping her after a night out. A jury of six men and six women ruled in her favor in December 2023, awarding her €248,603.60 in damages. The court also ordered McGregor to pay approximately €1.3 million in legal costs — an amount that may now increase due to the appeal.
McGregor, who has maintained that the encounter was consensual, did not attend the appeal hearing. Neither did his co-defendant, James Lawrence, who was cleared of liability during the initial trial but also failed in his attempt to recover legal expenses.
Plaintiff Speaks Out
Nikita Hand was present during the judgment and issued a powerful statement outside the court. “This process has retraumatized me again and again,” she said. “But today, I finally feel like I’ve been heard. I want other survivors to know: You are not alone. You deserve justice too.”
Her legal representatives said the outcome serves as a significant affirmation of survivors’ rights and the strength of the Irish legal system.
Fallout and Future Implications
The ruling is expected to have lasting consequences for McGregor, whose public image and commercial partnerships have already suffered. Several sponsors had paused or ended collaborations following the jury verdict. The Irish government is also reportedly reviewing whether McGregor’s behavior aligns with his eligibility for public honors or future political ambitions.
Legal experts noted that the appeal ruling might now open the door for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to further examine potential perjury or obstruction claims linked to the defense’s withdrawn evidence.
As of now, McGregor is obligated to fulfill all financial penalties associated with the civil ruling, and with the appeal denied, no further legal recourse remains.
