ABU DHABI – [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] on Friday said the lawsuit filed against him earlier this week was “old news,” and his focus is on Saturday’s UFC 257 main event.
Tuesday, the Irish Independent first reported a woman and her mother are suing McGregor in a personal injury lawsuit. Claims were filed Monday, and a McGregor associate was listed as a co-defendant.
The newspaper said McGregor “has denied any wrongdoing” and stated the matter was previously the subject of an extensive investigation by An Garda Siochana, or Gardai, which is Ireland’s national police service.
“It’s old news,” McGregor told MMA Junkie at a Thursday news conference for UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. “It was investigated thoroughly over the course of two long years, and I was cleared of any wrong doing. And that’s it.”
Tuesday, the New York Times obtained the statement of claim in the lawsuit and released details that revolve around an allegation of rape from an alleged incident at a hotel in December 2018, which had been previously reported.
The woman cites psychological and emotional problems caused by the alleged rape and says she has been unable to work since May 2019. She is seeking damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for lost wages (past and future), a change of homes, and medical expenses.
McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC), a former lightweight and featherweight champion, returns Saturday after a yearlong layoff and fights Dustin Poirier (26-6 MMA, 18-5 UFC) in a lightweight rematch. McGregor is more than a 3-1 favorite in the fight, which takes place at Etihad Stadium on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
“There’s so much positivity in my life,” McGregor said. “I’ve got a great challenge ahead of me on Saturday night, and I’m very excited to get in. I’ve put in an immense amount of work to get my frame correct at 155 (pounds), to get my conditioning (right). I want to answer questions here, and I hope Dustin can bring it to me and we can have a good fight.”
In a statement, McGregor spokesperson Karen J. Kessler told the Independent:
“After an exhaustive investigation conducted by the Gardai which, in addition to interviews of the plaintiff, included interviewing numerous sources, obtaining witnesses’ statements, examining closed circuit footage and the cooperation of Conor McGregor, these allegations were categorically rejected. The plaintiff knows the facts contradict the assertions in this lawsuit. Mr. McGregor will dispute any claims and is confident that justice will prevail.”
If the case reaches trial, it will be held before a jury. Irish civil cases are judged by the standard of “is this more than likely to have happened or not?” In criminal cases, there must be proof beyond a reasonable doubt, according to the Times. The woman and her mother are seeking separate trials.
Over the past several years McGregor has found himself in hot water for a number of indiscretions outside the octagon. In April 2018, he was arrested after throwing a dolly through a bus window that carried various UFC fighters. Several people were injured.
In March 2019, McGregor was arrested for grabbing, stomping, and stealing a fan’s phone in Miami. Less than one month after that arrest, McGregor was caught on video assaulting a patron at a pub in Dublin.
In mid-October, the Times reported a second sexual assault allegation against McGregor from a different accuser.
In September 2020, McGregor was arrested in France on allegations of sexual assault and indecent exposure. McGregor was interviewed and released by officials, and his team subsequently issued a statement and vehemently denied all wrongdoing.
None of the sexual assault cases resulted in criminal charges against McGregor.
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