Allegations of sexual assault made by a woman pictured alongside UFC star Conor McGregor at an NBA finals game earlier this year will not be moving forward.
While McGregor was not charged in the incident, which allegedly transpired at a Miami Heat home game this past June, Miami PD confirmed to multiple media outlets at the time that they were investigating.
“At this time all we can confirm is that MPD’s Special Victims Unit is investigating a report that was filed Sunday, June 11, 2023. This is an open investigation so no additional information can be released at this time.”
The complainant, an unnamed woman, alleged that McGregor “violently raped” her inside a bathroom stall at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Video, however, showed the woman entering the bathroom area with McGregor willingly and exiting a short time later under no apparent duress. The pair were also spotted together later in the night.
According to prosecutors reviewing the case, quoted in a new report by TMZ, a bathroom attendant interviewed as a witness “did not hear any signs of distress or sounds that would corroborate that whatever was occurring was not consensual.” An interview with a friend of the complainant showed she had never mentioned the incident, while she had told her mother only that she had met the fighter, and made no claim of assault.
In the woman’s original statement, she claimed to have been forced to perform oral sex on McGregor before he attempt to force anal sex on her, at which time she fought off the professional fighter by throwing elbows.`
Additionally, as previously reported by Cageside Press and other outlets, the woman behind the allegations issued a legal demand letter seeking a large payment to drop the case. Further, per prosecutors, the complainant actually asked police from the outset whether McGregor “would like to ‘settle’ or ‘pay her off’ if she did not pursue charges.”
Taking all of that information into account, Florida prosecutors did not have grounds to move forward with the case.
An attorney for Conor McGregor, Barbara Llanes of Gelber Schachter & Greenberg, issued a statement to TMZ. “After a thorough investigation, including a review of videos and interviews with eyewitnesses, the authorities have concluded that there is no case to pursue against my client, Conor McGregor,” Llanes said. “On behalf of my client, his family and his fans we are pleased this is now over.”
Not noted in the TMZ article, however, is the complainant in the case also threatening legal action against the Miami Heat and Kaseya Center. An unverified report by the U.K.’s Daily Mail claimed the NBA had offered $100,000 in “hush money” per attorney Ariel Mitchell — which the league immediately denied.
There is no indication as to whether the venue, or Miami PD — who the woman also targeted in her legal campaign, alleging they mishandled her complaint — ever reached a settlement.
