Hundreds March as Dublin Rallies Behind Nikita Hand After Winning Civil Case Against Conor McGregor

Hundreds March Dublin Rallies Behind Nikita Hand After Winning Civil Case Against Conor McGregorHundreds of people staged a demonstration in Dublin in solidarity with Nikita Hand, who recently won a civil suit…

Hundreds March Dublin Rallies Behind Nikita Hand After Winning Civil Case Against Conor McGregor

Hundreds of people staged a demonstration in Dublin in solidarity with Nikita Hand, who recently won a civil suit against UFC star Conor McGregor.

Hand claimed that McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. After McGregor escaped criminal charges for the alleged assault, Hand filed a civil lawsuit against the Irish megastar in 2021. On November 22, a High Court jury found that McGregor was liable for the assault and ordered him to pay Hand more than $250,000 in damages.

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Immediately following the decision, Hand delivered an emotional speech outside the courthouse while McGregor immediately went online and protested the verdict.

“I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice, and keep on fighting for justice,” Hand told the media (h/t Irish Independent).

On Monday, a march was organized by the socialist feminist movement group Rosa to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. During the event, Hand was described as “incredibly brave” and celebrated for “standing up for survivors” of assault.

crowd marches in dublin to show solidarity with incredibly brave nikita hand

Participants chanted “Stand with Nikita” and “No more fear, no more shaming — we reject your victim blaming” as they carried signs and banners throughout the streets. Hand was not in attendance as she is still recovering from the emotional two-week trial, but was said to be watching a live feed remotely.

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McGregor claims his sexual encounter with Nikita hand was ‘consensual’

McGregor argued that his sexual encounter with Hand was consensual, but the evidence certainly didn’t support his stance.

During the trial and paramedic who examined Hand on her way to the Rotunda Hospital the following day told the court he had not seen “someone so bruised” in a long time. Emergency room gynecologist Dr. Daniel Kane also testified, noting that what he observed was “consistent with the outline of events as described by (Hand).”

McGregor revealed in a series of since-deleted posts on X that he has instructed his legal team to appeal the decision and continues to vehemently deny any wrongdoing, outside of committing adultery.

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‘I Embody the Fighter My Father Couldn’t Be’ – Melvin Boomer on Netflix’s The Cage

'I Embody the Fighter My Father Couldn’t Be’ - Melvin Boomer on Netflix's The CageMelvin Boomer, star of the new MMA-centric Netflix series The Cage, was thrilled to have the opportunity to become…

'I Embody the Fighter My Father Couldn’t Be’ - Melvin Boomer on Netflix's The Cage

Melvin Boomer, star of the new MMA-centric Netflix series The Cage, was thrilled to have the opportunity to become the fighter on screen that his father would never become in reality.

In the five-episode drama series, Boomer plays the lead character Taylor, a young fighter struggling to find his path to fame and fortune in mixed martial arts until an unexpected, but career-changing fight comes about. Throughout the series, which has been described as both inspirational and gritty, Taylor encounters real-world UFC stars including Georges St-Pierre, Ciryl Gane, and Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.

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Thus far, The Cage has received mostly favorable reviews with many of them praising Boomer’s performance as a struggling fighter from Paris. As it turns out, stepping into the role of mixed martial artist wasn’t that big of a stretch for Boomer.

“My father is an MMA fighter,” Boomer revealed in an interview with Schon! Magazine. Nowadays, he does Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but for a long time, he was an MMA fighter, even before it was legal in France. I followed him a bit all over, to Belgium, Portugal… It was never my aim to become a professional fighter like him, even though I did make my way through several practices, from Capoeira, and Parkours, to Break dancing, which I did for a very long time.

“So, it wasn’t really my father to show me the way to this role, but it gave me incredible insight into the behind-the-scenes, to know what goes on before a fight in the changing rooms, the mindset of a fighter…”

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Melvin Boomer’s Dad was ‘Very Proud’ of the cage

Raised in Vincennes, France, Boomer often traveled out of the country to watch his dad fight as MMA wasn’t legalized in The City of Light until January 1, 2020.

“My father is very, very proud. What’s beautiful in this story is the fact that I embody, in a way, the fighter he couldn’t be. He began when he was super young, and at a time when MMA weren’t as accessible as they are nowadays. Now, with social media, if you’re a young fighter, you can get ahead. He started in 2010 or 2011, but the whole scene has transformed since then. 

“There have been films about MMA — one with Tom Hardy, and a series called Kingdom, but it’s not really a series on MMA. This is the first series based around MMA, around the leagues that really exist, like KSW or UFC, with a storyline around a fighter that isn’t one that we’re used to seeing.

The Cage — also known as La Cage in France — is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Wladimir Klitschko Fires Back at Joe Rogan for ‘Repeating Russian Propaganda’

Wladimir Klitschko Fires Back at Joe Rogan for ‘Repeating Russian Propaganda’Legendary pugilist Wladimir Klitschko accused Joe Rogan of “repeating Russian propaganda” while commenting on the ongoing war in Ukraine….

Wladimir Klitschko Fires Back at Joe Rogan for ‘Repeating Russian Propaganda’

Legendary pugilist Wladimir Klitschko accused Joe Rogan of “repeating Russian propaganda” while commenting on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The longtime UFC color commentary recently accused U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky of trying to “start World War III.” Rogan’s comments came not long after the White House agreed to let Ukraine use US-made missiles against Vladimir Putin’s forces.

“Zelensky says Putin is terrified. F*ck you, man… f*ck you, people. You people are about to start World War III,’ Rogan said before turning on the 82-year-old Biden. “Maybe that would be a good thing we would like to avoid from a dying former president.”

“How are you allowed to do that when you’re on your way out? There should be some sort of pause for significant actions that could potentially start World War III.”

Wladimir Klitschko Snaps back at Joe Rogan

Klitschko targeted the popular podcaster, saying he “listened” to his latest episode and decided to post a video letting Rogan know that he “disagrees” with his comments.

“Joe Rogan, I listened to your latest podcast. I am sending you this video to let you know that I disagree,” Klitschko began in a video on X. You talk about these American weapons being sent to Ukraine, which you believe will lead to the third World War. So, let me tell you that you’re repeating Russian propaganda — Putin’s Russia is in trouble. So they want to scare you and people like you. 

‘His war was supposed to last three days, it has lasted three years thanks to the heroism and sacrifice of us Ukrainians. So you’re using the only weapon that Putin really intends to use: propaganda and this weapon really weakens our democracies. Putin’s Russia wants to destroy Ukraine quietly, they want America to stay quiet — not great. A great America is not an America that abandons countries that defend freedom with their lives” (h/t DailyMail).

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Klitschko also offered to be a guest on Rogan’s JRE podcast so that they could “discuss (these points) like free men.”

After winning an Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Klitschko went on to become one of boxing’s most accomplished heavyweights, competing for more than 20 years and holding the unified heavyweight world championship between 2008 and 2015.

He retired from the sport in 2017 after suffering back-to-back losses against Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. He retired with a record of 64-5 with 53 of his wins coming way way of knockout.

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Conor McGregor Faces Backlash as Sexual Assault Ruling Sparks Calls to Ban His Brands

Conor McGregor Faces Backlash as Sexual Assault Ruling Sparks Calls to Ban His BrandsRetailers in Ireland are being urged to boycott Conor McGregor’s stout and whiskey brands after the UFC star was…

Conor McGregor Faces Backlash as Sexual Assault Ruling Sparks Calls to Ban His Brands

Retailers in Ireland are being urged to boycott Conor McGregor’s stout and whiskey brands after the UFC star was found liable for sexual assault.

Last week, a High Court jury ruled that McGregor had raped Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in 2018. McGregor, who has vehemently denied the accusations, was ordered to pay the victim more than $250,000 but has already instructed his legal team to appeal the decision and made multiple social media posts professing his innocence.

Conor McGregor

McGregor won’t face any criminal charges for his role in the alleged assault, but his financial portfolio could take a big hit if Cliona Saidlear — executive director of Rape Crisis Network Ireland — gets her wish.

“The companies making money from his alcohol and other products need to look at whether they want to align themselves with a man found by a civil jury to have sexually assaulted a woman Saidlear said in a statement. “They need to stop promoting him and distance themselves… €250,000 won’t dent his finances, but the public can play a role here in expressing disapproval for anyone that tries make money with a man who engaged in that despicable behavior” (h/t Irish Mirror).

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Conor McGregor will be back in a Dublin high court next year over his proper no. 12 whiskey brand

Currently, McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout and Proper No. 12 brand of whiskey is sold in supermarkets nationwide in Ireland. The latter can also be purchased in a slew of other countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

In 2021, Proximo Spirits purchased the Proper No. 12 brand for a whopping $600 million, of which McGregor reportedly received more than $150 million for his share in the company.

Conor McGregor

McGregor is expected back in the High Court next year after his former friend and fighter, Artem Lobov, filed a lawsuit claiming that McGregor’s whiskey was originally his idea. Lobov alleges that McGregor promised him a 5% stake in the business, but never received his share when the brand was sold.

If Lobov succeeds in making his case, it could cost the Irish megastar another $8 million.

Conor McGregor

‘I Know I Made Mistakes’

Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Conor McGregor won’t apologize for his actions, but at least admits he “made mistakes” that landed him in court. Former UFC two-division champion, Conor McGregor, has…


High Court 24 - P Ní Laimhin v McGregor & Anor
Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Conor McGregor won’t apologize for his actions, but at least admits he “made mistakes” that landed him in court.

Former UFC two-division champion, Conor McGregor, has not been shy about slamming the “kangaroo court” that found him liable for sexual assault, a civil trial that left McGregor on the hook for a considerable amount of cash — while also damaging his public persona.

“Notorious” continued his damage control on Monday afternoon, releasing a formal statement on social media that acknowledged he “stepped out” on longtime fiancée, Dee Devlin, while also insisting his late-night rendezvous in a Dublin hotel was “consensual.”

“People want to hear from me, I needed time,” McGregor wrote. “I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That’s all on me. As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath.”

McGregor was accused of sexual assault back in late 2018 but local police failed to press charges due to insufficient evidence. The victim subsequently filed a civil suit against “Notorious” and was awarded nearly $260,000 when the jury ruled in her favor.

“I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision,” McGregor continued. “I can’t go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side. That’s it. No more. Getting back to the gym — the fight game awaits!”

McGregor, now 36, has not competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier back in summer 2021. No word yet on when or where “Notorious” will make his Octagon return, but CEO, Dana White, does not expect to have anything booked until some point in late 2025.

Assuming McGregor can stay out of trouble until then.

‘The Joker’ Wang Cong Issues Statement On Shock UFC Macau Loss: ‘I Still Believe I Am The One’

UFC flyweight prospect Wang Cong is keeping her head high after a disappointing and surprising defeat on home soil this past weekend. Wang, a former world champion in sanda and ex-Kunlun Fight titleholder, announced her arrival on MMA’s biggest stage in a major way this past August following success on Road to UFC. “The Joker” […]

UFC flyweight prospect Wang Cong is keeping her head high after a disappointing and surprising defeat on home soil this past weekend.

Wang, a former world champion in sanda and ex-Kunlun Fight titleholder, announced her arrival on MMA’s biggest stage in a major way this past August following success on Road to UFC.

“The Joker” violently knocked out Victoria Leonardo on debut, and her previous kickboxing win over Valentina Shevchenko led to talk of a quick rise up the ladder at 125 pounds.

That script, however, was emphatically ripped up by Gabriella Fernandes, who headed to enemy territory to face Wang as a significant underdog on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Macau.

The Brazilian executed a memorable club-and-sub finish in round two, dealing a blow to the hype behind Wang and the perception of her chances of success inside the Octagon.

As if often the case when newcomers lose for the first time in the UFC, the defeat to Fernandes caused cries of “fraud checked” from some in the MMA community online. Wang, however, will not be deterred.

“Thanks for those who came out on Saturday night and fans supported me,” Wang wrote on Instagram. “This is the fight game, one mistake can cost you the match. But I’m good, no injuries and in good spirit. I still believe I’m the one ? without doubt. I will come back soon @ufc . Also congratulation @gabriella_tko , thank you for taking the fight. Hope you enjoy the China trip.?? #ufcmacau“

It remains to be seen what will come next for Wang, but the charismatic Chinese fighter will look to immediately return to winning ways when she makes the walk for the first time in 2025.