Hitman cancels Conor McGregor contract after sexual assault trial

Zane Simon

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Publish Date: 11/25/2024

It appears Conor McGregor's public image has suffered some damage in the wake of his recent trial for sexual assault.

The Dublin High Court found the UFC star liable for nearly a quarter-million euro in a civil suit for the 2018 rape of Nikita Hand. Supported by police reports and physical evidence, Hand claimed that she and McGregor had been partying and using cocaine before returning to the penthouse suite at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin. It was there Hand claims that McGregor demanded the victim perform sexual acts on him, choking her repeatedly when she refused. Medical reports state that Hand was covered in abrasions and bruises after the incident.

Hitman game drops McGregor DLC

The UFC has so far remained silent on Conor McGregor’s court proceedings. However, Hitman maker IO Interactive were quick to release a statement. The video game developer had recently partnered with McGregor in production of DLC content for Hitman World of Assassination. The Irish sports star was an 'Elusive Target' known as 'The Disruptor', who players were tasked with eliminating ahead of a planned MMA event. Initially released in June, IO Interactive had planned to make the mission available again for a limited time, from November 15th to December 8th.

"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 announced in a post on social media. "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."

Hitman: World of Assassination - Official The Disruptor Trailer (ft Conor McGregor)

Conor McGregor plans appeal

Unsurprisingly, Conor McGregor has stated that he plans to appeal the court's decision. The 36-year-old claimed on social media shortly after the court's decision that evidence had been withheld from the jury.

"I will be appealing today's decision," McGregor wrote in a since deleted post to his social media page. "The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide."

Justice Minister praises Hand's bravery

One surprise revelation delivered by Hand's legal team was the news that she had suffered a home invasion in June. In the incident, a group of masked men broke into the victim's home, eventually making their way to the bedroom where she and her partner were sleeping. The attack left Hand uninjured, although her partner suffered multiple stab wounds. Following the trial, Justice Minister Helen McEntee praised Hand's bravery in continuing to press her case.

"I just want to commend Nikita for her bravery," McEntee told reporters, "for her determination and the leadership that she has shown in what has been—I've no doubt—a very, very difficult time for her and indeed, for her family.

"Because of wonderful people like Nikita, I hope that it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that there are supports available to people, and that there is justice at the end of the day."