McGregor Tonight Show interview criticized over assault

Conor McGregor’s appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Wednesday, June 17, has drawn significant public criticism for failing to address the civil case in which he was found liable for assault. The interview, part of a media tour ahead of his UFC return, focused solely on his upcoming fight, sparking a backlash from viewers who questioned the decision to provide him with a mainstream platform without acknowledging his legal history.

The controversy stems from a 2024 civil trial in Dublin’s High Court, where a jury found McGregor civilly liable for assaulting Nikita Hand in a hotel room in December 2018. Hand accused him of rape, an allegation McGregor has consistently denied. The court awarded Hand approximately 250,000 euros in damages. McGregor appealed the verdict, but the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in July 2025.

On social media, many users criticized Fallon and NBC for hosting a lighthearted interview that omitted any mention of the case. Critics described the booking as inappropriate and disgraceful, arguing it helped rehabilitate McGregor’s public image. Some directed comments at Fallon, noting he is a father, and expressed disappointment that...