Prominent UFC fighter Conor McGregor finds himself in the crosshairs of a sexual assault accusation after an NBA Finals game in Miami earlier this month.
The alleged assault incident, as outlined in a legal document delivered to McGregor and shared with BBC News, is said to have taken place within the restroom facilities at the Kaseya Center.
McGregor’s legal representative refutes these claims, stating, “The allegations are patently untrue. McGregor refuses to be strong-armed.”
An investigation into these allegations is currently underway, according to a spokesperson from the City of Miami Police.
Both UFC and the Miami Heat, the home team for the NBA Finals game, released statements acknowledging awareness of the accusations and expressing their commitment to gathering more information through full-scale investigations.
Ariel Mitchell, the legal counsel for the alleged victim, explained that her client was in attendance at the fourth NBA Finals game on Friday, June 9, before the purported incident.
According to the legal document, Mitchell asserts that the woman was forcibly escorted into a men’s restroom by NBA and Miami Heat security personnel, where McGregor then violently sexually assaulted her.
The document further states that the woman managed to escape the restroom, leaving behind her handbag, which she later retrieved after negotiating with the security personnel.
The legal document accuses the security of the league, team, and arena of playing a supporting role in McGregor’s actions by confining the woman in the restroom.
During an interview, Mitchell shared that she is in possession of video evidence that captures a portion of the alleged incident.
The City of Miami Police confirmed to BBC News that a formal police report concerning the incident was filed on Sunday, June 11.
“No additional information can be disclosed at this stage as the investigation is ongoing,” a police department spokesperson added.
McGregor’s appearance at the NBA Finals sparked controversy when the former Irish champion assaulted the Miami Heat’s mascot during half-time in what seemed to be a promotional stunt for a pain relief spray.
The mascot, subsequently hospitalized, was reportedly sent for medical treatment following the incident, as reported by the Athletic.
