Conor McGregor sexual assault trial: Here’s what we know after Day 1 testimony in civil proceedings

Jesse Holland is among the longest-tenured media professionals in the combat sports news space, covering MMA, professional wrestling and boxing on a full-time basis since early 2004.

Former UFC two-division champion, Conor McGregor, appeared before a High Court jury on Tuesday morning (Nov. 5, 2024) to answer for claims of alleged sexual assault stemming from an incident at Dublin’s Beacon Hotel back in 2018.

The plaintiff is seeking damages of roughly $2 million for lost wages, a change of homes, and medical expenses.

McGregor managed to avoid criminal charges when the case was first brought to authorities, prompting the plaintiff to file a multimillion-dollar lawsuit in early 2021, which also names accomplice James Lawrence.

Attorneys for McGregor called the suit “an attempt at extortion.”

In addition to the alleged victim, emergency room gynecologist, Dr. Daniel Kane, also provided testimony during today’s civil proceedings and noted “several injuries” that were “consistent with the outline of events” following a forensic examination.

The jury is comprised of four men and eight women.

McGregor, 36, is accused of sharing cocaine with the alleged victim, then taking her back to the hotel and forcing himself on her. Kane also testified to removing a tampon “wedged at the very, very top” of the plaintiff during her visit to the emergency room.

The jury has been instructed to avoid reading any feedback on social media.

The trial is expected to resume on Wednesday morning. Local outlets including The Guardian and Irish Mirror have detailed transcriptions of the opening statements, as well as the subsequent testimony from Kane, available here and here.

McGregor is still signed to UFC but has not competed since 2021.