'I lost a part of who I am': Nikita Hand speaks for first time since Conor McGregor sexual assault case
In her first interview since an Irish civil jury found that McGregor sexually assaulted her in a Dublin hotel, an emotional Hand opened up on the lasting impact of the attack.
Nikita Hand has spoken publicly for the first time since a jury found that UFC star Conor McGregor sexually assaulted her in 2018. The Irish civil jury awarded Hand nearly €250,000 in damages in November 2024. Recently, Hand appeared on Ireland's Prime Time program to discuss the impact of the assault and the civil trial process.
She experiences frequent nightmares and has had panic attacks in connection with the attack, but she is working on coping and being the best mother she can be. Hand revealed that she lost a part of herself during the assault, particularly when McGregor choked her multiple times, causing her to dissociate. She described feeling a loss of control and identity during the attack, as if she was watching herself from outside her body.
Despite the verdict in her favor, Hand still finds it difficult to see McGregor in public, such as when he was invited to the U.S. White House and appeared on U.S. talk shows in advance of his UFC 329 return bout. Hand emphasizes that victim-blaming has no place and urges other victims to come forward and seek justice.
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