Conor McGregor lawsuit: Companies drop fighter after civil ruling

The aftermath of a civil court ruling against Conor McGregor in Ireland has led to two companies severing ties with the controversial mixed martial arts fighter. McGregor was ordered to pay nearly 250,000 Euros (US$257,000) to a woman who accused him of raping her.

Proximo Spirits, the owner of Irish whiskey brand Proper No. 12, announced that they will no longer use McGregor’s name or image in their marketing efforts.

“Going forward, we do not plan to use Mr. McGregor’s name and likeness in the marketing of the brand,” the company told the Irish Independent newspaper.

Video game developer IO Interactive also decided to cut ties with McGregor, who had a role in the game “Hitman.”

“In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately,” the company said in a statement on X. “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr. McGregor from our storefronts starting today.”

The ruling came after a civil case where Nikita Hand claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in 2018.

Hand alleged that the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

McGregor, 36, denied the allegations and testified that the encounter was consensual, with the woman fabricating the accusations.

The jury, consisting of eight women and four men, found McGregor liable for assault after deliberating for about six hours in the High Court in Dublin.

Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, there are resources available to support individuals in crisis:

If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, please call 911.

A comprehensive list of sexual assault centers in Canada offering information, advocacy, and counseling can be found on the website for the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres.

Helplines, legal services, and locations providing sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia can be found here.

National Residential School Crisis Line: +1 866 925 4419

24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010