Marc RaimondiESPN Staff Writer Jun 15, 2023 4:33pm ET2 minutes read
UFC star Conor McGregor has been accused of sexually abusing a woman during an NBA Finals game in Miami last week, ESPN received on Thursday.
The woman said McGregor “forced himself” on her in a VIP men’s restroom at the Kaseya Center, according to a letter to McGregor and his team. She said McGregor “kissed her aggressively” before attempting to force her into multiple sexual acts.
The incident reportedly happened during Game 4 of Friday’s finals. The woman has accused Miami Heat and NBA security of assisting McGregor in the attack by separating her from her friend and forcing her into the toilet.
McGregor, 34, denied the allegations through his attorney, Barbara Llanes.
“Mr. McGregor is not intimidated,” Llanes wrote in a statement to ESPN.
Attorney Ariel Mitchell, representing the woman, wrote in the letter to McGregor that the woman immediately contacted law enforcement and her law firm after the alleged assault. The letter warned of a possible legal battle and urged McGregor to keep any potential evidence. Mitchell also sent legal letters to the Heat and the NBA.
The Miami Police Department declined to comment to ESPN on a possible investigation into the allegations against McGregor.
UFC issued a statement Thursday saying it was aware of the allegations against McGregor, adding that it “will continue to gather more details about the incident.” UFC will complete the legal process before making any further statements.”
McGregor attended the game as a guest of the NBA and the Heat, who played the Denver Nuggets in the finals. During halftime of Game 4, McGregor participated in a skit promoting a recovery spray in which he hit the Heat mascot Burnie twice, which sent the man portraying the mascot to the ER for pain medication.
Both the Heat and the NBA confirmed the woman’s allegations in statements.
“We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation,” the Heat said. “Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.”
The NBA said it is working with the Heat to gather more information.
McGregor has been accused of sexual assault four times outside the United States, although he faced no legal punishment and at least one case was dropped.
TMZ first reported on the recent allegations against McGregor.
A former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, McGregor is the highest-grossing star in mixed martial arts history and has competed in several of the highest-grossing pay-per-view events of all time, including a 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather . McGregor has been recovering from a broken leg since July 2021 and is coaching the current season of The Ultimate Fighter, which filmed in Las Vegas earlier this year.
ESPN’s Nick Friedell contributed to this report.