(Miami) Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault during an NBA Finals game last week in Miami, multiple US media reported on Thursday.
A woman accuses McGregor of “violently” assaulting her in the bathroom at Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday during the basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, according to letters from the victim’s attorney cited by ESPN and TMZ Sports media. According to those same documents, the Irishman “aggressively kissed” the woman and attempted to coerce her into several sexual acts.
Conor McGregor denies these accusations, his lawyer, Barbara Llanes, told AFP.
“The allegations are false. Mr. McGregor not be intimidated,” she said.
Miami police limited themselves to saying that their “special victims” unit was investigating after a complaint was filed on Sunday.
“The investigation is open, and no additional information can be released at this stage,” police wrote in a statement to AFP, without mentioning Conor McGregor’s name.
Both the NBA and the Miami Heat have said they are aware of the charges and are awaiting the results of the investigation.
McGregor, guest of Friday’s game for a scheduled publicity event, had already caused perplexity by punching a Miami Heat mascot after his performance on the floor. Transported to the hospital, the man who wore the mascot costume came out in the evening after being prescribed painkillers.
McGregor, 34, is one of the biggest global stars in the history of the hugely successful Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts league. He previously held the featherweight and lightweight titles.
He has participated in several ticketed events, including a 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, which generated over $600 million in total revenue, and earned the former plumber apprentice from Dublin around $100 million. .