Guilty! Conor McGregor's Downfall In Court

Conor McGregor, who lost a civil rape case on Friday, has said he will instruct his legal team to appeal the verdict, as large crowds in Dublin showed support to the woman involved in the case.

The civil court jury awarded Hand nearly €250,000 (approximately $263,600) after finding McGregor liable for assault, according to Ireland's Courts Service. McGregor, addressing the verdict on X (formerly known as Twitter), stated, "I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision."

In response to the verdict, large crowds gathered in Dublin to show solidarity with Hand and to voice criticism over the decision by the Irish director of public prosecutions (DPP) not to pursue a criminal case against McGregor. The ‘Associated Press’ reported that police had investigated Hand's complaint, but prosecutors declined to bring charges due to insufficient evidence and the unlikely chance of a conviction.

Fingal County councilor Ruth Coppinger shared images of the protest on X, questioning the DPP's decision, "Huge questions over DPP turning down cases of #genderviolence. Nikita Hand was intoxicated & couldn’t give consent, she had massive injuries." The case has sparked significant debate about the Irish legal system's handling of sexual assault cases.

Addressing the media after the verdict on Friday, she described the trial as a “nightmare,” and the assault as something “that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”

“I want to show (my daughter) Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served,” she added.

“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be – speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice.”

During the trial, McGregor maintained he never forced Hand to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex, according to the 'AP.' “As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath,” McGregor wrote on X Monday. Large crowds gathered in Dublin Monday to show solidarity with Hand and criticize the decision made by the Irish director of public prosecutions (DPP) not to pursue a criminal case against McGregor.

“People want to hear from me, I needed time,” McGregor wrote. “I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to (Hand’s) outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me. I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!”

The question is, does he have a future in the UFC after all? As of this writing, the UFC and Dana White have remained silent on the jury’s ruling since Friday. No other brands associated with McGregor, outside of IO Interactive, have dropped McGregor.

During the trial, Hand described the assault as a "nightmare" and something she would "never forget." She emphasized the importance of standing up for oneself, regardless of the perpetrator's identity, saying, "Justice will be served." McGregor, on the other hand, maintained that the encounter was consensual and that all witnesses present testified to that effect. He expressed regret but insisted, "Everything that happened that night was consensual."