Conor McGregor apologised to partner Dee Devlin and admitted “I know I made mistakes” as he issued a fresh response to the verdict of his civil trial.
Former UFC champion McGregor had faced an accusation the he “brutally raped and battered” Nikita Hand at a hotel in south Dublin in December 2018. McGregor denied in court that he raped her.
But he was ordered to pay Ms Hand £200,000 after a jury found him liable of assaulting Hand following eight days of evidence and three days listening to closing speeches and the judge’s charge. The jury of eight women and four men spent six hours and 10 minutes deliberating before returning with its verdict.
McGregor claims that he engaged in consensual sex with Hand, and has vowed to appeal the decision. He released a new statement on social media on Monday night, stating he is keen to move forward with his life and return to the UFC and apologising to Devlin – who sat with him as the verdict was given on Friday.
“People want to hear from me, I needed time,” McGregor wrote. “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.
“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. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!”
McGregor’s accuser, Nikita Hand, won her claim after a jury deliberated for just over six hours before returning their verdicts. It was revealed at the outset of the trial that she had been forced to move house after a break-in by a group of men in balaclavas, believed to be supporters of the UFC fighter, who stabbed her boyfriend while their baby slept next door.
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Speaking outside the court after McGregor had been ordered to pay her damages, Ms. Hand said; “I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody. I want to thank my legal team and my three barristers, they have been amazing from start to finish.
“I want to thank the justice, the jury and all the witnesses. I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda assault unit, especially my own doctor. I want to thank the rape advice centre, I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew.
“I want to thank the men and women who have supported me throughout this trial. For every person who reached out to me, a card, email, everything, it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you, I really appreciate it so much.
“I want to thank my partner who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day. I want to thank my mum and all my family and friends. I want to thank my daughter who I am most grateful for. She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to keep pushing forward for justice.
“I want to show her and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served. To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that you have a voice and to keep on fighting for justice.
“I know this has impacted my life, my daughter’s, my family and friends’ tremendously and it is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. But now that justice has been served I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family, friends and daughter.”
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