Conor McGregor to be sued again by Nikita Hand after failed appeal

Daily Mirror

18 hours ago

It comes a day after McGregor lost his appeal following a civil ruling that the former dual-weight UFC champion sexually assaulted Nikita Hand after a night out in December 2018
Conor McGregor is set to be sued again by Nikita Hand for his alleged abuse of the courts process.
On Thursday, the former dual-weight UFC champion lost his appeal against a civil jury's finding in favour of Ms Hand - who accused of rape. McGregor lost his appeal on all five grounds that the case was taken. Ms Hand successfully sued McGregor in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have 'brutally raped and battered' her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.
Ms Hand was awarded £214,994 in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about £1.1million in legal costs following November's trial. McGregor then launched an appeal on five grounds. On Thursday, the three judges of the Court of Appeal – Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore and Mr Justice Patrick MacGrath – agreed to dismiss his appeal in its entirety. Neither McGregor nor his co-defendant James Lawrence were present in court on Thursday.
Just a day on after losing his appeal, Ms Hand is suing McGregor once again. According to the Irish Mirror, the Dublin native is also suing couple Samantha O'Reilly and Stephen Cummins, who were withdrawn as witnesses at the final moment of the fighter's appeal.
In a comment to The Irish Mirror, Hand's solicitors stated: "We confirm that further proceedings have been issued in the High Court and a Statement of claims has been prepared and will be served imminently." The outlet reports that the case against McGregor, Ms O'Reilly and Stephen Cummins are "for damaged for malicious abuse of the process of the court by the Defendants, and each of them, their respective servants and/or agents. She is suing for aggravated and punitive damages as well as costs."
After agreeing to dismiss the Irishman's appeal in its entirety, Mr Justice O'Moore summarised the grounds for appeal before dismissing all five grounds. 'I therefore dismiss the appeal in its entirety,' he said. The judges also dismissed McGregor's co-defendant James Lawrence's appeal against the trial judge's decision not to award him his legal costs, after the same jury did not find he had assaulted Ms Hand. The judges raised the fact that McGregor had paid Mr Lawrence's legal fees and said the arrangement was 'shrouded in mystery'.
Mr Justice O'Moore said that while it would not be 'fair or appropriate' not to award Mr Lawrence costs because it would 'wipe out' damages awarded to Ms Hand, as argued by her legal team, he said if costs were awarded to Mr Lawrence and he did not pass them on to McGregor, it would result in a 'bounty of several hundred thousand euros for his troubles." He also said the impact of awarding costs to Mr Lawrence and them being passed on to McGregor should be taken into account, before dismissing Mr Lawrence's appeal.
Ms Hand, who was embraced by her supporters in the courtroom after the judgment was delivered, thanked her legal team, the Rape Crisis Centre, and the three judges. 'I'm also deeply grateful for everyone who supported me and those who believed in me and stood by my side throughout this case,' she said outside court.
'This appeal has retraumatised me over and over again (by) being forced to relive 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, you also deserve justice. Today I can finally move on and try to heal." She said she did not have a message for McGregor as she left the Four Courts.
When is Conor McGregor's next fight?
Recently, US President Donald Trump announced his plans to host a historic UFC event at the White House in July 2026. Following this announcement, McGregor revealed his interest in competing at the event.
The 37-year-old took to social media and posted: "Happy 4th of July, USA. Excited with President Trump announcing a UFC fight event at the White House! I would be honoured! Count me in!!" UFC boss Dana White also appears to support the idea after McGregor shared a conversation with him.
The Irishman sent the UFC chief several voice notes, seemingly related to the proposed White House event, to which White responded: "I love it!" McGregor later reiterated his comments during a recent BKFC event, stating: "It's looking like I'm headed to the Oval Office again. That's where I'm headed next." The 37-year-old has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier back in 2021. He was due to make a stunning comeback last year against Michael Chandler, but withdrew from the contest after picking up an injury in training.