Verdict vs. Comeback
Conor McGregor Denies Civil Sexual Assault Verdict Ahead of Highly Anticipated UFC Return
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Key Points
1
Damages awarded to Nikita Hand in the 2018 civil case are reported as €248,603.60 in general and special damages, with roughly €1.5 million in legal costs; some outlets cite the damages as about €260,000 depending on the report.
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The Irish Director of Public Prosecutions elected not to pursue criminal charges related to the 2018 incident.
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Medical testimony during the civil case included paramedic Eithne Scully describing the ambulance scene with Hand as among the worst she has ever attended.
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McGregor admitted to alcohol and cocaine use around the time of the incident and has framed his current stance as having cleaned up through faith.
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McGregor’s appeal of the civil verdict was dismissed in 2025, with authorities denying all five grounds.
Conor McGregor is returning to the UFC for the first time since 2021, facing Max Holloway at UFC 329 — and he is doing so under the shadow of a civil sexual assault verdict. A Dublin jury found him liable for the 2018 assault of Nikita Hand and awarded her €248,603.60 in damages, plus roughly €1.5 million in legal costs. MMA Fighting reported McGregor telling reporters simply: "I am an innocent man."
McGregor's appeal of the verdict was dismissed in 2025, with courts rejecting all five grounds he raised. No criminal charges were ever filed — Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions chose not to pursue a criminal case. Still, the verdict has sparked a sharp debate about whether the UFC should have booked this fight at all.
McGregor Maintains Innocence Despite Court Ruling Against Him
At a pre-fight press conference, McGregor was emotional but firm. "The truth will prevail," he told reporters, according to MMA Fighting. He leaned heavily on his faith as a reason to keep fighting. He called the civil verdict unjust and said he plans to continue pursuing his case. A civil verdict means a jury believed the claim was more likely true than not — it is a lower bar than a criminal "beyond reasonable doubt" standard.
BJ Penn reported that McGregor repeatedly called himself an innocent man, framing his return as a form of vindication. He said he would not step away from the sport simply because of public pressure. The UFC, for its part, has not publicly addressed why it proceeded with the booking after the verdict and the dismissed appeal.
What the Civil Trial Revealed About the 2018 Incident
The case centered on an alleged assault at a Dublin hotel in 2018. During the trial, paramedic Eithne Scully testified that the scene involving Nikita Hand was among the worst she had ever attended. That testimony carried significant weight with the jury. McGregor himself admitted during the proceedings that he had used alcohol and cocaine around the time of the incident.
The jury ultimately awarded Hand €248,603.60 in general and special damages, according to MMA Fighting. Legal costs added roughly €1.5 million more. Some outlets, including Daily Mail, cited the damages figure as closer to €260,000 depending on how costs were calculated. Either way, the total financial penalty was substantial.
McGregor Says He Has Cleaned Up His Life Before UFC Return
McGregor has spoken openly about changes he made ahead of his comeback. MMA Sucka reported that he revealed the origins of his alcohol addiction and said he has since embraced sobriety and faith. He said abstaining from drinking and cocaine use is part of his preparation. He also credited religious belief as a turning point in his personal life.
This will be McGregor's first fight since breaking his leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. That injury kept him out for nearly four years. He is now 36. His opponent, Max Holloway, is a former featherweight champion and a dangerous striker. The fight is set to be one of the most-watched events of 2025, regardless of the controversy surrounding it.
Ethics Debate Grows as UFC Moves Forward With Fight
Critics have argued the UFC should not have sanctioned the bout given the civil verdict. A civil finding of liability — even without criminal charges — still means a jury decided McGregor most likely committed the assault. Advocates for sexual assault survivors have pushed back hard on the promotion's decision to move forward.
McGregor has dismissed those calls. Daily Mail reported that he was visibly emotional at the press conference but stood firm. "I fight on," he said. The event will go ahead as planned, placing the UFC in the middle of a debate that stretches well beyond sport — into questions about accountability, public platforms, and who gets a second chance.
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