This Irish Woman Sued MMA Fighter Conor McGregor For Raping And Beating Her And Won
Doctors had to surgically remove a tampon wedged at the top of her vagina after the rape.
A 35-year-old Irish woman named Nikita Hand has gained significant attention after she sued MMA fighter Conor McGregor for raping and beating her and won.
Hand said McGregor raped her in a hotel in Dublin on Dec. 9, 2018 after a Christmas party where Hand and a friend were picked up by McGregor, who shared cocaine with them during the ride to the hotel, according to AP.
Hand testified that she repeatedly told McGregor she did not want to have sex and that she was on her period.
However, he allegedly restrained her on the bed, placed her in a chokehold and threatened her life during the assault.
He reportedly told her she "felt what he felt in a fight where he was tapped three times".
Hand described feeling immense fear for her safety and recounted apologizing to McGregor afterward, believing it might prevent further harm.
A paramedic who examined Hand testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising.
Doctors had to surgically remove a tampon wedged at the top of her vagina.
Hand said she was unable to work due to the trauma of the attack, causing her to fall behind on her mortgage and move out of her house.
Hand initially tried to pursue criminal charges against McGregor in 2020, but the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
This led Hand to seek justice through civil court, where she ultimately succeeded in proving her case against McGregor.
Under Irish law, Hand did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial.
The trial ended in November 2024, and the jury concluded that McGregor was liable for assault and awarded Hand approximately US$257,000 in damages, affirming the sexual assault.
Following the verdict, Hand expressed relief and emphasized the importance of speaking out against sexual violence.
"I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be: Speak up, you have a voice," she said.
McGregor has denied the allegations and announced he plans to appeal the jury's decision, claiming that not all evidence was presented during the trial.
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