Conor McGregor's 2018 Sexual Assault Accuser Awarded $250,000 In Damages

Conor McGregor's image is at risk as a jury finds him liable for a sexual assault charge.

The Irish professional mixed martial artist lost the rape case brought against him by a Dublin hairdresser, Nikita Ni Laimhin. She filed a civil suit, alleging that she was brutally violated by the former UFC star in 2018.

The incident allegedly involved two men, Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. However, only the athlete was punished for the incident. It is important to note that both men vehemently denied the assault claims, but the jury only believed one party's narrative.

The month-long sexual assault drama concluded in McGregor's loss on Friday, November 22. He arrived at the courthouse with his longtime partner, Dee Devlin, who remained by his side when the verdict was read.

The jurors in the case did not support McGregor's side of the story, where he argued that the 2018 encounter had been consensual. On that note, the victim, Ni Laimhin, was awarded roughly $250,000 in damages.

As for her claims that Lawrence had assaulted her after McGregor, the jurors refuted the narrative. TMZ reported that they stressed in their ruling that he did not rape Ni Laimhin. The plaintiff also had no recollection of such an event occurring.

Earlier this month, The Blast covered that Ni Laimhin had filed a civil damages claim against McGregor and Lawrence over a 2018 incident. The boxer appeared in court on November 5 to fight the allegations with his attorney.

The legal rep argued that Ni Laimhin was trying to extort McGregor, but her attorney, John Gordon SC, painted a different picture. He told the jury that the assault occurred in December 2018 after the parties linked up at her salon.

McGregor and Ni Laimhin reportedly had a close relationship and frequently contacted each other on social media. He invited her and her friend for a drive, eventually ending up at a penthouse suite in Dublin's Beacon Hotel.

At the hotel, McGregor allegedly invited Ni Laimhin to the bedroom, where he tried to initiate a sexual encounter. However, she refused because she was on her period, but the MMA fighter pinned her down on the bed.

"She will tell you that she was nervous, that she tried to push him off her, but she was completely unable to do so," her attorney claimed. "You will see pictures of her hands and wrists, which are black and blue. You will see that her left breast has a bloodied scratch."

The legal rep noted McGregor's brutal assault continued by flipping Ni Laimhin over and putting her arms in a lock. He repeatedly drew her up by the neck until she couldn't breathe and gave up on resisting his attacks.

Ni Laimhin's attorney claimed that after subjecting herself to McGregor's "violent and vicious assault," she was allegedly attacked by Lawrence. However, the legal rep stressed that she had no recollection of such an event.

Following the incident, Ni Laimhin visited her mother, who alerted emergency services. The victim was then taken to the hospital by ambulance. The lawyer claimed she was visibly shaking and in pain during the transfer.

"In the face of this, Mr. McGregor will tell you that this was a consensual encounter, that they were just having fun and a bit of rough sex. That's his answer," the attorney said, adding:

"What did I say about common sense? Don't be fooled into leaving it behind in this room. What he is saying is that she gave him a license to carry out what has to have been a brutal assault on her body."

Five years after the 2018 event, The Blast shared how McGregor threw a lavish birthday party for his then pregnant fiancée. He surprised Devlin with a lavish bash, showering her with extravagant gifts, as seen in his Instagram post.

The celebrations took place on his yacht, with its interior adorned with pink and gold balloons. Devlin's joy was visible in the snaps, looking elated surrounded by the gifts, McGregor, and their children.

Part of the expensive presents she received were cream-colored bags from Louis Vuitton and Chanel. There were also chic Chanel shoes, pink bedazzled sandals, and, to top it off, a massive birthday cake.

Given that his longtime partner remained faithfully by his side throughout the sexual assault drama, Conor McGregor's relationship may not be affected by his loss.