UFC fighter Conor McGregor is facing allegations of sexual assault that reportedly occurred in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center in Miami after an NBA Finals basketball game earlier this month. A legal letter detailing the claims was sent to McGregor and has been reviewed by BBC News.
In response to the allegations, McGregor’s lawyer stated that the accusations are false and that McGregor refuses to be intimidated. The City of Miami Police has opened an investigation into the matter.
Both the UFC and the Miami Heat have acknowledged the allegations and have stated to be gathering additional information. The woman’s lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, revealed that her client was watching game four of the NBA Finals on June 9 before the alleged incident occurred.
According to the legal letter addressed to McGregor, Mitchell alleges that the woman was forcefully taken into a men’s bathroom by security guards from the NBA and Miami Heat, where McGregor allegedly sexually assaulted her in a violent manner. The letter claims that the woman managed to escape the bathroom but left behind her purse, which she later retrieved after pleading with the security guards. The letter further accuses the league, team, and arena’s security personnel of facilitating McGregor’s actions by trapping and isolating the woman in the bathroom.
Mitchell stated in an interview that she possesses video footage that captures part of the alleged incident. The City of Miami Police confirmed that a police report related to the incident was filed on June 11.
During the NBA Finals, McGregor attracted attention when he struck the Miami Heat’s mascot in what appeared to be a promotional stunt for a pain relief spray. The individual inside the mascot costume was subsequently taken to a local hospital for treatment, as reported by the Athletic.
