Nikita Hand Reflects on Civil Case Victory Against Conor

Nikita Hand, a 37-year-old hairdresser from Dublin, chose to pursue a civil case against Conor McGregor despite the daunting prospect of challenging a global celebrity who denied all allegations. Her decision was driven by a desire to challenge the societal stigma that often forces victims to prove they are “perfect” to be believed. And pit her against a powerful celebrity who denied wrongdoing and had teams of lawyers and a vast online following, but that would strip the hairdresser of anonymity. And I really wanted to try to change the stigma around people thinking you have to be a perfect victim to be believed or heard.”. Special moment, but at the same time it was a really scary moment, it was a really happy. According to fallout from the case continued to play out on social media,, Hand. “I get so many beautiful messages online.

The events leading to the legal battle began on 9 December 2018, when Hand, who had been consuming alcohol and cocaine, met the mixed martial arts fighter after messaging him on Instagram for party information. McGregor transported her and a friend to the Beacon hotel. Hand testified that while at the hotel, McGregor pinned her to a bed, placed her in a headlock, and mock-choked her while assaulting her.

After fleeing the hotel, Hand reported the incident to police, but Irish authorities declined to pursue criminal charges in 2020, citing a lack of a reasonable prospect for conviction. Hand then transitioned to a civil lawsuit, which eventually brought the matter to the Dublin High Court in 2024. The two-week trial was marked by intense media attention and a humiliating cross-examination process that Hand described as another form of violation.

The jury ultimately found that McGregor had assaulted her and awarded Hand approximately €250,000 in damages. Although she described the verdict as a moment of vindication, she noted that the fear and anxiety from the ordeal remain a part of her daily life. McGregor unsuccessfully appealed the ruling in July 2025. It didn’t take away the fear and the anxiety – to this day I still live with the anxiety and the fear.”.

Ahead of the trial in June 2024, Hand faced an additional trauma when masked intruders broke into her home, damaging windows and stabbing her partner. While her legal team indicated they believed the attackers were supporters of McGregor, they clarified that the fighter himself was not involved in the incident.

Hand has since documented her experience in a book titledNot the Perfect Victim. She uses the work to emphasize that consent must be respected regardless of a victim’s behavior or substance use. She remains critical of the public platforms given to McGregor, expressing disappointment that he appeared onThe Tonight Showand was hosted at the White House in 2025. Jimmy Fallon triggered an outcry in June after hosting McGregor on The Tonight Show for a softball interview.

The legal fallout of the case continues to develop. Last month, police charged a Dublin couple, Samantha O’Reilly and Steven Cummins, with perjury following an investigation into evidence presented during the appeal process. For Hand, the focus has shifted toward personal healing and supporting other survivors.

Leaving her career as a hairdresser behind, she now hopes to assist others who have experienced similar trauma. She credits her mother, her partner, and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for helping her navigate the aftermath. Though she still faces negative social media commentary from both men and women, she is focused on reclaiming her narrative. From women and men, just calling me names, horrible names.”, and then I would get the odd hate message.

She maintains a clear distance from the person she successfully sued. “I don’t have any feelings for him. I don’t forgive him,” she said, noting that she simply presented her evidence to the jury. Her ultimate goal is to ensure her daughters grow up in a culture that does not shame or blame those who come forward with allegations. And popular culture, responds to allegations of sexual assault, hand’s appearance on the Irish bestseller list is the latest twist in a story that has put a spotlight on how the legal system.