Earlier today, Conor McGregor lost his appeal in court surrounding his sexual assault defense against Nikita Hand, dating back to late 2018.
The controversial UFC star has been compiling evidence for his case, in which he was accused of raping fellow Irish native Nikita Hand. Although he claimed the encounter between the two was consensual, the jury sided with Hand, stamping a sexual assault verdict on the sports star’s head.
Despite appealing the decision in court on July 31, his efforts came to nothing after the Court of Appeal upheld the original verdict, dismissing the 37-year-old’s request.
With the ruling finalized, Conor McGregor must pay $284,075.60 in damages and around $1.48m in legal fees.
A traumatized Nikita Hand spoke to the media after a triumphant day in court.
“I’m deeply grateful for everyone who supported me,” Hand said. “Those who believed in me and stood by my side throughout this long and painful journey.”
“This appeal has retraumatized me over and over again. Being forced to re-live it, what happened has had a huge impact on me.”
“To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please don’t be silenced. You deserve to be heard, and you also deserve justice. Today, I can finally heal and try to move on. Thank you.”
When asked if she had one final message for Conor McGregor after she prevailed in court over the defendant, she refused, simply stating:
“No. No.”
Listen to a heartbroken Nikita Hand speak to the media outside of court below.
BREAKING: Nikita Hand speaks outside court after Conor McGregor lost his appeal of a finding by a civil jury that Conor McGregor raped her. pic.twitter.com/ngejwsllw7
— Paul Healy (@Healyhack) July 31, 2025
Related: Conor McGregor faces 10-year jail sentence for alleged perjury
His failed appeal in court only adds to the bad news he has been receiving of late.
Desperate to return to the UFC with the White House card on the horizon, Conor McGregor’s career may need to be put on hold for legal reasons.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that McGregor could be facing up to 10 years in jail or another large fine for alleged perjury, pertaining to the aforementioned Nikita Hand case.
