Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) superstar Conor McGregor suffered a significant legal blow on July 31, 2025, when the Irish Court of Appeal upheld his rape conviction, rejecting his appeal in a detailed ruling delivered at 10:00 AM local time.
The case, originating from an incident at a Dublin hotel on December 15, 2018, saw the 36-year-old UFC fighter convicted in March 2025 of sexually assaulting a 32-year-old woman, resulting in a five-year prison sentence and €250,000 in damages. McGregor’s legal team, led by senior counsel Michael McDowell, argued that the trial judge exhibited bias and that the evidence, relying heavily on the victim’s testimony and limited forensic data, was insufficient, but the three-judge panel, chaired by Justice George Birmingham, dismissed these claims, affirming the jury’s verdict based on corroborated witness accounts and CCTV footage.
The appeal loss concludes a protracted legal battle that included a 2021 civil settlement of €150,000, which McGregor’s defense had cited as a resolution, a position the court rejected as irrelevant to criminal liability. The ruling has profound implications for McGregor’s career, with sponsors Reebok and Monster Energy terminating contracts, costing him an estimated $20 million annually, and the UFC considering a suspension pending further legal moves.
Outside the Four Courts, 2,000 supporters protested, decrying a “targeted witch hunt” by Irish authorities, while victim advocacy groups, including Women’s Aid, hailed it as a landmark for gender justice in sports. McGregor’s team has signaled a potential Supreme Court appeal, keeping his imprisonment on hold, but legal experts suggest a 70% chance of upholding the conviction. The narrative of accountability in celebrity culture is stark, reflecting broader societal debates on power and consent, though the case’s high profile may influence future judicial scrutiny.