Conor McGregor addressed “stepping out” on his relationship with fiancée Dee DevlinThe Irish fighter was found liable in a civil sexual assault case on Nov. 22McGregor said he will “move forward” and plans to appeal the decision
Conor McGregor spoke about regrets in his relationship with fiancée Dee Devlin after being found liable in a civil rape and sexual assault case on Friday, Nov. 22.
The MMA fighter, 36, spoke out in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday, Nov. 25 — three days after an Ireland court determined he was liable of raping and sexually assaulting a woman named Nikita Hand while she was intoxicated in Dec. 2018.
“People want to hear from me,” McGregor began in his post, before alleging that Hand had reached out to him. “I needed time. I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down.”
“I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me,” he continued.
Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin attend the Chopard “Gentleman’s Evening” during the 75th annual Cannes film festival.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
McGregor then continued to claim his innocence, and maintain that Hand had consented. “As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.”
“I can’t go back and I will move forward,” McGregor continued. “I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.”
McGregor’s post on X marked the second time he said he plans to appeal the court’s decision — which ordered the Irish fighter to pay damages to Hand totaling nearly €250,000, converting into roughly $257,000 in U.S. dollars, according to the Associated Press and the Guardian.
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Immediately following the court’s decision on Nov. 22, McGregor broke his silence in a since-deleted post on X, saying he’s “disappointed” and planning to appeal the decision.
“I will be appealing today’s decision,” McGregor wrote. “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.”
Hand, meanwhile, told reporters after the verdict that she was “overwhelmed” by the support she’s received through the trial process.
“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice.”
Devlin, 37, and McGregor first met at a Dublin nightclub in 2008, where she was working at the time.
After more than 10 years together, the former UFC champion proposed to Devlin on Aug. 9, 2020, though they have yet to officially tie the knot.
The couple welcomed their fourth child, son Mack, in November 2023.
McGregor and Devlin also share son Conor Jr., born in May 2017; daughter Croai, born in January 2019; and son Rian, who arrived in May 2021.
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