A woman has filed a lawsuit against former UFC star Conor McGregor, accusing him of sexually assaulting her after Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals. The alleged incident occurred at the Kaseya Center, the home arena of the Miami Heat, on June 9, 2023. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, also accuses the arena’s staff and security of gross negligence.
The plaintiff, a 49-year-old Miami-Dade County resident and vice president at a prominent Wall Street financial institution, claims McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the arena following the Denver Nuggets’ victory over the Miami Heat. She reported the incident to Miami police less than 48 hours later. However, in October 2023, the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges after its investigation.
McGregor’s attorney, Barbara Llanes, said in a statement to ESPN that “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.” McGregor, now 36, has consistently denied the allegations, and his legal team emphasized that he “will not be intimidated.”
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, medical expenses, and other relief deemed appropriate. The woman’s attorney, Jim Dunn, said his client decided to file the suit to “raise awareness and encourage others to report sexual assault,” despite concerns about the potential impact on her career.
The lawsuit alleges McGregor initiated contact with the woman in the Courtside Club inside the Kaseya Center after the game. When the woman attempted to leave, a member of McGregor’s team allegedly told her, “Conor told me to come get you,” and forcibly grabbed her wrist. Despite her protests, the staff member reportedly refused to let go, stating, “No, Conor will kill me if I lose you.” The complaint states McGregor led the woman to a restroom, where her acquaintance was prevented from entering. McGregor then allegedly assaulted the woman inside a stall.
The complaint also cites McGregor’s behavior earlier that evening, when he struck the Miami Heat mascot, “Burnie,” during a promotional skit, causing injuries that required hospitalization. Despite the incident, McGregor was reportedly allowed to remain in the arena and consume alcohol. The suit alleges that the Kaseya Center staff’s failure to intervene contributed to a heightened risk of harm.
Dunn said in a phone interview that the civil case is the “only avenue” available for his client to seek justice after criminal charges were not pursued. Under Florida law, the statute of limitations for a civil case alleging gross negligence is two years.
McGregor, a former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, last competed in July 2021, losing to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
