An Irish civil jury has found UFC star Conor McGregor liable for a 2018 sexual assault.
The High Court in Dublin has ordered McGregor to pay 248,000 euros (around $257,000) to the woman that accused him of assaulting her.
McGregor, who denied the allegations, maintained that the two had consensual sex. He’s currently not facing any criminal charges.
The woman originally came forward to the High Court and alleged that she met McGregor at a Christmas party in Dublin. She claimed that the athlete forced her into a bed and choked her.
According to the woman’s lawyer, John Gordon, McGregor was seemingly angry about a match that he lost months earlier in Las Vegas and proceeded to allegedly take out his frustration on his client.
She claimed that he put her into a choke hold on more than one occasion, later allegedly telling her that now she knows how he felt when he had to tap out three times in an Ultimate Fighting Championship.
"He let me go and I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn't tell anyone so he wouldn't hurt me again," said the woman in court.
When asked about the choking allegation in court, McGregor claimed that it was a lie. "How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings,” he said.
McGregor has already released a statement claiming that he will appeal the judgement.
McGregor’s conviction will probably have an impact on his potential presidential run in Ireland next year. Back in September, he outlined his political aspirations in a lengthy X post where he laid out his plans.
“I would have all the answers the people of Ireland seek from these thieves of the working man, these disrupters of the family unit, these destructors of small businesses, and on and on and on!” he wrote. “These charlatans in their positions of power would be summoned to answer to the people of Ireland and I would have it done by day end. Or I would be left with no choice but to dissolve the Dáil entirely. Stop the train until.”
“The people of Ireland deserve the answers they seek. Point blank. This would be my power as President. I know very well,” McGregor continued. “Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland. It is me. I am the only logical choice. 2025 is upcoming…”
