Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
Conor McGregor has ruled out a rumoured UFC clash and has announced that he plans to fight Logan Paul in a boxing match instead.
The MMA athlete, 36, recently lost a civil court case against Nikita Hand, after she accused him of pinning her to a bed, choking her three times, and 'brutally' raping and 'battering' her at a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
McGregor denied any wrongdoing, but the Dublin High Court decided in favour of Hand, with the fighter now required to pay €250,000 (£200,000) in damages.
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"I want to show [my daughter] Freya and every other young girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and that justice will be served," Hand said following the decision.
In a now-deleted tweet, McGregor said: "As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision."
Following the case, Tesco removed all alcoholic drinks associated with McGregor off its shelves.
A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are removing Proper No Twelve Whiskey from sale in Tesco stores and online.”
Meanwhile, McGregor plans to carry on with his fight career and it appears that he wants to take on Jake Paul's older brother next.
"The rumors of a bout with topurio are false," he tweeted today (17 December).
"I am in preliminary agreements with the Ambani family to face Logan Paul in a boxing exhibition in India.
"I have agreed. I will then seek my return to the Octagon."
MMA fans thought McGregor was set to take on Georgian-Spanish fighter Ilia Topuria, but he has denied those rumours.
When it comes to Paul - who has transitioned into a part-time WWE superstar - he comfortably beat Dillon Danis in the boxing ring in 2023 while losing out to his future PRIME business partner and fellow YouTuber KSI in 2019.
Fans will also remember when he took on Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition match in 2021 where he landed just 28 of his 200+ attempted punches.
Because it was an exhibition, the fight was un-scored.
McGregor's only boxing match to date was also against Mayweather and the 50-0 fighter won comfortably.
Mayweather defeated McGregor by technical knockout in Las Vegas in 2017.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
Topics: Extreme Sports, UFC, Conor McGregor
Anish Vij