UFC star Conor McGregor denies sex he had with a woman in late 2018 was anything other than consensual.
As the civil trial for sexual assault rolls on in Dublin, jurors heard from McGregor directly for the first time Wednesday during the sixth day of court proceedings. McGregor vehemently denied sexual assault claims made by Nikita Hand, a woman who said he raped her in a Dublin hotel room.
Hand and McGregor knew each other from afar, but met up in December 2018 after a work costume party Hand attended at a bar, according to trial testimony. The two, as well as McGregor’s friend James Lawrence, and Hand’s co-worker Danielle Kealey did cocaine and went to a hotel room in the early hours of the morning.
That’s where Hand has alleged McGregor forced himself upon her.
Wednesday, McGregor painted a different picture than the one in the lawsuit filed by Hand in January 2021.
McGregor takes the stand
According to multiple reports, McGregor took the stand and detailed his account of the alleged incident.
“I was shocked and frightened beyond belief. The most scared thing I have gone through in my life,” McGregor reportedly said as he talked about when he first heard rumors local authorities may be investigating him, according to The Irish Mirror.
Hand alleged McGregor and Lawrence had sex with her against her will at different points of the day while she was intoxicated on alcohol and cocaine following a late-night, early-morning work party. Lawrence also denies the allegation against him.
While McGregor confirmed his car picked up Hand and her co-worker, Danielle Kealey, as well as Lawrence, to bring the four to a hotel, he disputed many of the other details laid out by Hand.
Hand said McGregor forcefully removed her clothes and inserted himself into her, as she pushed back and bit him, before she eventually gave up.
“Lies and more lies,” McGregor is to have reportedly said about the accusations, per The Irish Mirror.
McGregor said Hand initiated contact that night and became touchy from the first few minutes of seeing him. He also said Hand followed him into the bathroom as he was zipping up his pants and made sexual advances. McGregor said Hand then performed oral sex on him and the two had consensual sex thereafter.
In the five-and-a-half court sessions leading up to McGregor’s testimony Wednesday, various witnesses, including emergency room staff, detectives, and friends, were called to the stand. Many of them affirmed consistency between what Hand told them and what was in the lawsuit.
Hand also sported bruising during multiple independent examinations, though McGregor reportedly said, “I will tell you where she didn’t get [the bruises] from, me.
Hand’s mental health professionals and former employer also confirmed a downswing in productivity and functionality following the alleged incident.
In the statement of claim reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand seeks damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for lost wages (past and future), a change of homes, and medical expenses.
Kealey ‘surprised’ to hear of alleged incident
Hand’s co-worker Kealey, who was in a connecting hotel room when the alleged sexual assault took place, also spoke for the first time in court Wednesday.
Kealey said she was unsure what exactly went on between McGregor and Hand, but that when Hand emerged, it did not seem like anything was wrong. She denied seeing injuries on Hand.
“Everything was fine and no one was in bad form,” Kealey reportedly said (per BreakingNews.ie). “I didn’t notice anything that happened … I was surprised because I didn’t see anything. I told her I hadn’t seen or heard anything.”
Kealey also admitted to having sex with Lawrence the night of the alleged incident.
What’s next?
McGregor’s evidence will continue Thursday when court resumes.
Judge Alex Owens, who is overseeing the civil trial, indicated to jurors ahead of its start that the entire process should take about two weeks.
