Conor McGregor, the UFC star, has found himself embroiled in controversy once again. Known for his quick fists and sharp tongue, McGregor’s name is now associated with a case of sexual assault. A High Court in Ireland has ordered McGregor to pay €250,000 to Nikita Hand after determining that he sexually assaulted her in a Dublin hotel. Hand, an Irish hair colorist, claims that McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her after they returned to his hotel room following a night out in 2018.
Despite McGregor’s claims that the sexual encounter was consensual, a jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating for six hours in the Dublin court. McGregor is not the first athlete in the combat sports world to face allegations of assaulting women. Throughout history, numerous athletes across various combat sports have been accused and even convicted of similar offenses.
One such athlete is Mike Tyson. In 1992, Tyson, at the peak of his fame, was convicted of raping an 18-year-old girl named Desiree Washington in an Indianapolis hotel room. Despite Tyson’s assertions of innocence, he was sentenced to six years in prison, serving three before being released. Tyson has maintained his innocence, stating that the consequences of the woman’s actions are something she will have to live with for the rest of her life.
Another prominent boxer, Floyd Mayweather Jr., has faced multiple charges of domestic assault between 2001 and 2010. Mayweather was charged with assaulting the mother of his daughter, Melissa Brim, and later faced accusations from Josie Harris, the mother of three of his children. Mayweather was charged with multiple felonies in 2010 after beating Harris over her relationship with an NBA guard. He served 90 days in jail but was released after a month.
George Foreman, a former heavyweight champion, has also faced allegations of sexually abusing women. Three women have accused Foreman of sexually abusing them while they were children in a lawsuit from 2023. Foreman denies all allegations of sexual abuse or assault, with his attorney stating that his reputation has been beyond reproach until these accusations.
Deontay Wilder, known as “The Bronze Bomber,” faced accusations of physical assault from his fiancée, Shuntel “Telli” Swift, who filed a restraining order against him earlier this year. Swift claimed that Wilder had attacked her multiple times over the course of their relationship, leading to the restraining order that requires Wilder to stay away from her and her daughter.
Joe Frazier, another legendary boxer, faced allegations of domestic assault in 2004. Frazier was arrested after police found the mother of his child with injuries to her face. The woman claimed Frazier had hit her but refused medical treatment and did not cooperate with prosecutors, resulting in the case being dropped.
In conclusion, the world of combat sports has seen numerous athletes facing allegations of assaulting women. It is essential for such cases to be thoroughly investigated and for justice to be served to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.