Conor McGregor dropped from major video game release after assault verdict

Conor McGregor has been dropped from the video game Hitman following a High Court ruling last week that found the UFC star liable of assaulting a woman.

Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her civil case for damages against him at the High Court in Dublin last Friday, with the jury awarding her £206,714.31 in damages.

McGregor has already stated his intention appeal the decision.

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On Monday, however, game developer IO Interactive announced they would no longer be working with McGregor, whose voice was featured as The Disruptor character in the Hitman game. Earlier this month, a mission involving McGregor's character was reintroduced to the game, and a Disruptor pack was made available for permanent access.

"In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately," the company stated. "We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr. McGregor from our storefronts starting today."

McGregor did not comment as he left the court but later addressed the verdict on social media: "I will be appealing today's decision," he posted. "I am with my family now, focused on my future. Thank you to all my support worldwide.", reports the Mirror.

Outside the court, Hand expressed her hope that her case would encourage other assault victims to keep "pushing forward for justice".

"I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice," she expressed. "I know this has impacted not only my life, my daughter's, my family and friends tremendously. It's something that I'll never forget for the rest of my life."

She continued, "Now that justice has been served, I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family and friends and daughter."

When asked if she felt vindicated following the jury's verdict, she confirmed: "Yes, I do. Thank you."

McGregor was accused of having "brutally raped and battered" Hand at a hotel in south Dublin in December 2018.

The Irish sports star had claimed in court that he engaged in consensual sex with Hand in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel. Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, previously lost a case against James Lawrence, who she alleged assaulted her by having sex without consent at the same venue.

After eight days of testimony, three days of closing arguments and the judge's instructions, the jury, comprising eight women and four men, deliberated for six hours and 10 minutes before delivering their decision. McGregor was seen shaking his head as the jury announced that Hand had won her case against him.