Conor McGregor is being sued by a woman alleging she was sexually assaulted by the fighter at an NBA game two years ago.
ESPN reports that a civil suit was filed on Tuesday in the Southern District of Florida with the unnamed woman suing McGregor, the Miami Heat, and Basketball Properties, LLC., which controls the Kaseya Center in Miami. A Delaware non-profit called COMPASS GROUP, USA, is also a listed defendant.
McGregor is accused of battery while the arena is being named due to “gross negligence” and stating the staff and security didn’t ensure a safe environment by allowing McGregor to be overserved with alcohol.
The suit claims that McGregor “intentionally engaged in unlawful sexual contact” with the consent or permission of the woman. She claims that a member of McGregor’s entourage took the woman by the wrist and directed her toward McGregor despite her protest. The suit claims she was taken by McGregor to a stall inside a restroom where the alleged assault occurred.
McGregor previously denied the allegations and his lawyer Barbara Llanes issued a statement to ESPN after Tuesday’s filing:
After a thorough investigation at the time, the State’s Attorney concluded that there was no case to pursue. Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.
The incident is listed as taking place on June 9, 2023, during the NBA finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets at the Kaseya Center.
A criminal sexual assault allegation was brought forward days after the alleged incident, but the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to move forward and press charges.
ESPN spoke with the woman’s lawyer, Jim Dunn, who said they were moving forward with a civil case because it was the “only avenue she has to pursue justice” and there is a statute of limitations of two years for cases alleging gross negligence.
An incident occurred during the game where McGregor was brought onto the court and punched the mascot “Burnie” and required the performer to be sent to the hospital.
Last November, McGregor was found civilly liable in a case where he was accused of assaulting a female in a December 2018 incident at an Irish hotel. The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, was awarded $257,000 U.S. in the case.
McGregor remains a member of the UFC roster and a part owner of the BKFC promotion. He has not fought since July 2021.
NOTE: We have updated this story to include the Miami Heat being listed as defendants in the civil suit
