Conor McGregor is furious after losing rape appeal: 'Falsely accused'

Conor McGregor has been away from the Octagon since 2021 (Photo: Instagram/thenotoriousmma)

Without fighting for more than four years, Conor McGregor has returned to the center of a major controversy outside the Octagon. One day after his appeal in the civil sexual assault case brought by Nikita Hand was rejected by the Irish court, the former UFC champion released a lengthy statement on social media. In the post, the Irishman denies the conviction, claims to be the victim of a setup, and assures that he will continue fighting to clean up his image.

Accused of sexually assaulting Hand in a Dublin hotel in 2018, Conor McGregor had been ordered in the first instance to pay €250 (approximately R$1,5 million) in compensation. This week, the former champion attempted to overturn the decision, but his appeal was rejected on all counts by the court. In addition to the fine, he may also be required to pay Hand's legal costs, estimated at €1,3 million (approximately R$7,8 million).

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On the morning of this Friday (1st), Conor McGregor spoke out publicly and spoke out against what he called “extortion.”

"Being accused of rape, proving your innocence, and still having to pay a fortune for your own defense, while the lawyers and the accuser—who lost the case—get paid? I've never seen anything like it," he wrote. "You're out of your mind if you think I'm going to pay James Lawrence's (the complainant's lawyer) legal fees. Who said I was going to pay? I said I didn't know if I would pay when I was questioned in court, because I really didn't know."

The former champion also stated that he faced the civil trial in a “state of shock” and criticized the way the process was conducted.

"I was in court being accused of a crime I didn't commit. I had already been acquitted of my crime by witnesses and the district attorney. And yet I was put in the dock again, in an absurd civil trial," he continued. "I wasn't even allowed to present crucial evidence from the criminal investigation. The amount of evidence in my favor was overwhelming. CCTV footage, witnesses... She was seen smiling, dancing, kissing, playfully fighting... all after the alleged 'attack.' It's disgusting."

Conor McGregor He also cited two witnesses who, according to him, were willing to testify on his behalf, but were excluded from the proceedings.

"These people said they saw what happened and were ready to speak out. Why weren't they called? Not even Stephen (Redmond), who was also involved in the night's events, was interviewed. I'm glad this is still ongoing. I hope everyone is heard."

Finally, the Irishman assured that he will continue fighting to prove his version.

"I stand by the truth and will continue to defend myself. Ireland, don't let this extortion distract you. We knew it would be like this from the beginning. We keep fighting!" he concluded.

Alleged victim Nikita Hand also spoke out after her court victory.

Following the court's decision, Nikita Hand also spoke publicly. Emotionally, she said the appeals process was traumatic.

"This appeal has reopened wounds, forced me to relive everything over and over again. What happened has had a huge impact on me," he declared. "To all the survivors, I know how difficult it is. But please don't be silent. You deserve to be heard, and you also deserve justice. Today, I can finally try to move forward and begin to heal."