Dana White will offer Conor McGregor a UFC lifeline in the future, despite the fighter losing his civil assault case in Ireland this week.
The Irishman was told on Friday that he had to pay the woman who accused him of raping her in a hotel six years ago 250,000 euros.
McGregor, 36, faced an allegation that he brutally raped and assaulted Nikita Hand, 35, in a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.
The MMA fighter previously told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, at the Beacon Hotel. He denied causing any bruises to the complainant.
After deliberating for six hours and ten minutes, the jury returned their verdict on the trial and awarded Ms Hand almost €250,000 ($260,000).
McGregor shook his head as Ms Hand cried and was hugged by her partner and supporters as the verdict was handed down. Outside court she described the past two weeks as a “nightmare” but said she felt vindicated.
Conor McGregor was found liable after being accused of assaulting a woman in Dublin in 2018
But UFC chief Dana White will consider giving the Irish fighter a lifeline in the future
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since July 2021, when he was defeated by Dustin Poirier in Las Vegas.
However, despite this week’s court outcome, White and UFC officials are still considering bringing McGregor back into the ranks in the future.
A source told DailyMail.com: ‘Conor’s UFC career is currently in the balance but not quite dead yet.
“He is still a draw and Dana White and UFC still consider him as part of a future show, but with the stigma of the charges they will steer clear of him.
“UFC is owned by the same people as the WWE, and if Vince McMahon is shunned by the company, the same goes for Conor and the UFC.
“But in no way is it over for Conor because he could win his appeal and as we all know the UFC and Dana White have Donald Trump at their shows and are friends with him.
“The president-elect is a convicted felon and has been accused of rape and sexual assault himself in the past, but that hasn’t stopped them from inviting him to their shows and Dana White from remaining friendly with him.
“So Conor is in the thick of things, but he will eventually be able to come back once the dust clears. It will just take a little longer than originally expected.’
McGregor has not fought in the UFC since July 2021, when he was defeated by Dustin Poirier
McGregor has been vocal about his desire to get back into the sport and expressed his frustrations over his delayed return to the Octagon earlier this year.
Speaking to DAZN at Wembley Stadium ahead of Anthony Joshua versus Daniel Dubois, the Irishman said: ‘We’ll see. My opponent that I had planned… it is what it is. I’ll take it on board and move on.
“My job is to go to the gym and be in shape, wherever and whenever it is. I will be one hundred percent ready.
“I have to get two fights in 2025. It is the promised land. Who knows (who the next opponent will be). It doesn’t matter. Anybody, let’s take a look. I’d like it to be Chandler. I wish him the best and see where it goes.”
UFC CEO White provided more insight into when the Irishman might return following UFC 309 last weekend.
During the UFC 309 post-fight press conference, White said: “Conor will be back in late ’25.
“There’s no doubt that Conor wants to fight. He beats me up all the time. I told you he probably wouldn’t fight in 2024, and he didn’t.
“He’s going to fight in 2025, probably at the end of the year, if it’s sooner that’s good for all of us.”
The Irishman was told on Thursday that he had to pay Nikita Hand (pictured above) $260,000
McGregor has vowed to appeal the decision in court, saying on social media he was “disappointed” and “focused on my future.”
McGregor broke his silence in a now-deleted message, saying: “I will appeal yesterday’s decision. The judge’s instruction and the modest award awarded were for assault, not for serious or exemplary damages.
“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all of the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you for all my support worldwide.”
On Saturday he posted: ‘Justice has been served for James Lawrence, yes! It’s deplorable what they did. Nikita hand, you mean liar! APPEAL!’
Prosecutors have since said they did not file criminal charges against McGregor because his accuser had consumed too much alcohol and too many drugs.
Ms Hand alleged McGregor sexually assaulted her on December 9, 2018, and that another man, James Lawrence, did the same, the Irish Supreme Court heard over two weeks of evidence.
Ms Hand said she and a friend contacted McGregor, whom she knew, after a work Christmas party.
She said they were driven by McGregor to a party in a penthouse room of a south Dublin hotel where drugs and alcohol were consumed.
She said McGregor gave her a bedroom in the penthouse and sexually assaulted her.
Ms Hand’s lawyer, John Gordon, said she was on antidepressants and “full of drugs” at the time of the alleged attack.
DailyMail.com has contacted both UFC and McGregor for comment.