Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion celebrated for his exploits in the Octagon, now finds himself under scrutiny in a different kind of arena. The Irishman had been embroiled in a civil lawsuit in Dublin over allegations of s**ual assault dating back to 2018. The jury, after a trial that took almost 2 weeks to conclude, found McGregor liable for the assault, bringing an end to a case that has sparked widespread public attention.

While McGregor maintained that the encounter was consensual, the jury sided with Nikita Hand, who expressed her relief and gratitude outside the court, using the moment to encourage others to stand up for themselves, no matter who their adversary may be. Yet, for all the drama and the damning judgment, Conor McGregor won’t be facing jail time as he was indicted in a civil case, as opposed to a criminal one. Instead, ‘The Notorious’ was ordered to pay a hefty amount in damages to the plaintiff as a result of his indictment.

Conor McGregor ordered to pay over $250,000 in lawsuit

According to multiple reports online, a civil court in Dublin recently ruled against the MMA superstar, ordering him to pay €248,603.60/ approx. $258,440 (figures from MMA Fighting) in damages to Nikita Hand, a 35-year-old hair stylist who accused Conor McGregor of assaulting her in 2018.

Despite the jury’s decision, McGregor has remained steadfast in denying the allegations. In a post on X that has since been deleted, “I will be appealing today’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.”

Unlike criminal cases, where the state prosecutes an accused and potential penalties include prison time, civil cases focus on financial restitution for harm caused. While this distinction has spared McGregor from criminal charges in this case, the civil judgment still carries significant implications for his reputation and finances.

McGregor’s sponsorship deals, fan support, and even opportunities within the UFC could possibly be in jeopardy as the fighter navigates the aftermath of the verdict. To add to his woes, a number of prominent voices in the combat sports world have fired off against ‘The Notorious’ on social media in light of the recent developments.

Fighters fire off against Conor McGregor on social media

As news of the ruling broke, the MMA community erupted at the Irish superstar. Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson didn’t mince his words in a three-word blistering attack on ‘The Notorious’. In a reply to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by MMA Orbit which shared the news of McGregor’s verdict, Johnson scathingly stated, “Shame on him.”

Mike Perry, the former UFC star turned BKFC fighter also fired off on X. ‘Platinum’ stated, “You’re fired”, referencing his back-and-forth with McGregor after Perry had lost to Jake Paul. The Irishman, who is a part owner of the promotion, had called for Perry’s removal from the promotion following his loss to ‘The Problem Child’. Jake Paul who has had a long-standing feud with McGregor and UFC president Dana White, directed a scathing attack at the duo, with the following question, “Dana hits his wife. Conor’s convicted of r*pe. But I’m the bad guy?”.

This isn’t the first time McGregor has faced legal troubles. His public image has often been marred by controversies, from bar-room brawls to accusations of misconduct.  With his name synonymous with combat sports and a series of lucrative business ventures tied to his brand, the fallout from this case has the potential to reverberate for years.

Now, the spotlight shifts to UFC CEO Dana White. Known for his business-first mentality, White faces a difficult decision. The ruling could threaten McGregor’s star power, but the question remains, will the UFC boss continue to support the Irishman or will he take a hardline stance to protect the UFC’s image? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.