Conor McGregor Denies Assault But Admits Regret Over Cheating After Civil Verdict

Conor McGregor has spoken out following the jury’s verdict in his sexual assault civil case, where he was found liable for raping a woman in December 2018.

The UFC star shared his thoughts on X/Twitter on Monday, expressing remorse—not for the alleged victim, Nikita Hand, but for stepping out on his fiancée, Dee Devlin, during the incident in question.

The jury’s decision came after a 12-day trial in Dublin, awarding Hand approximately $250,000 in damages. McGregor, who has maintained his innocence throughout, vowed to appeal the ruling, doubling down on his belief that everything that happened that night was consensual.

“I know I made mistakes,” McGregor wrote. “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. As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.”

McGregor also used the post to express gratitude to his family and supporters. “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 fallout from the verdict has been swift. Earlier Monday, IO Interactive announced McGregor’s removal from the “Hitman” video game series. His character, introduced as part of a downloadable add-on earlier this year, will no longer be available for purchase, though players who already downloaded it can still access the content. As of now, no other sponsors or brands associated with McGregor, including the UFC, have addressed the case or cut ties with the fighter.

McGregor has not fought in the UFC since July 2021, when he suffered a gruesome leg break in a match against Dustin Poirier. His much-anticipated return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 was derailed earlier this year when he broke his toe during training.

What are your thoughts on Conor McGregor’s response to the case? Should sponsors and the UFC take action, or does McGregor deserve the chance to move forward? Share your opinions in the comments below!