Jimmy Fallon has been branded 'spineless' and 'pathetic' for allowing Conor McGregor to appear on his talk show. Last night, the Irish professional mixed martial artist, 37, sat opposite the award-winning comedian, 51, for an interview on The Tonight Show, which Fallon has fronted since 2014.
While the host was all smiles as he chatted to McGregor about his return to the Octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329, when clips began circulating online, social media users were quick to shame Fallon for giving him a 'platform'. This is due to McGregor having previously been found liable in a civil case for the 2018 rape of a woman at a Dublin hotel.
Named Nikita Hand, the woman was awarded €248,603 (£206,000) in damages following the jury's ruling in the two-week-long case, which saw McGregor accused of 'brutally raping and battering' her. At the time, a paramedic who assessed Hand the day after the incident told the court she had not seen 'someone so bruised' in a long time.
Reminding Fallon and his viewers of the case, X users furiously berated him for helping to 'rehabilitate' McGregor's public image. 'This is disgusting. Shame on @jimmyfallon', tweeted @DeLuainatic. @whimsywordstwo wrote that 'no one with an ounce of moral credibility would platform this human piece of trash', while @HollieP80216260 told the presenter furiously: 'You should be ashamed of yourself!!!'
'You're a disgrace @jimmyfallon have this disgusting man on your show. You have daughters. Shame on you [sic]', @TeresabDB62 wrote. Fallon shares an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old with his producer wife, Nancy Juvonen, whom he married in 2007.
@Secti0n31 declared that 'whatever respect [they] had for @FallonTonight is now officially gone', and @bgeekvaiden called the interview 'absolutely vile'. 'I don't ever want to hear how rape accusations ruin mens careers', @bbettiekaren raged. 'This is what we talk about when people say men being silent helps the men who are violent', @PedlarFan added.
During the interview, in which the studio audience clapped and cheered for McGregor, Fallon gleefully reminisced on going out drinking together the last time they filmed, to which he said: 'We'll have to do it again!' On his UFC comeback, he declared that he was 'excited' and 'ready to rock' after 'five years out of the game'.
'You're considered one of the best MMA fighters in the world,' Fallon told him, referring to McGregor as 'my man'. On what he feels when he takes on an opponent, McGregor said: 'You have to be calm; you have to be composed. You have to trust your training and your discipline. There's no hiding in the Octagon.'
McGregor, who has the nickname The Notorious, will take on Holloway on July 11. At the time of the sexual assault court case involving McGregor, hundreds of people in Dublin staged a demonstration in 'utter solidarity' with Hand. Organised by socialist feminist movement group Rosa, it also marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Evidence heard included that of Dr Daniel Kane, a gynaecologist and forensic examiner in sexual assault cases. He said that Hand was 'shaking and crying' when he oversaw her, detailing bruising across her face, arms, fingers, forearms, knuckles, legs, lower back, and buttocks. She also had a 9cm scratch on her left breast, and forceps had to be used to remove a tampon she had been wearing the previous night; it became 'wedged inside'.
Then, after the verdict was delivered, visibly emotional, Hand reflected on the 'nightmare', stating that she felt 'justice has been served'. 'It's something that I'll never forget for the rest of my life,' she added.
Meanwhile, when originally interviewed by police, McGregor responded with 'no comment' around 100 times, the jury later heard. After the trial, he issued a public statement, denying any wrongdoing and claiming the sex he had with Hand was consensual. Posting on X, McGregor said: 'People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes. Six years ago, I should have never responded to her outreaches. I should have shut the party down. I should never have stepped out on the woman I love the most in the world. That's all on me.'
'As much as I regret it, everything that happened that night was consensual and all the witnesses present swore to that under oath. I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision. I can't go back and I will move forward. I am beyond grateful to my family, friends and supporters all over the world who have stayed by my side.'
'That's it. No more. Getting back to the gym- the fight game awaits!' McGregor did appeal, which Hand said 'retraumatised' her 'over and over again'. His legal team argued the appeal on the grounds that McGregor's lawyers believed his answers to police during interviews should not have been put before the jury.
The appeal judges ruled unanimously that McGregor's appeal should be dismissed 'in its entirety'. Hand said afterwards: 'To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is, but please, don't be silenced. 'You deserve to be heard; you also deserve justice. Today, I can finally move on and try to heal.'
NBC and reps for Jimmy Fallon have been contacted for comment.
What to do if you've been raped
If you have been the victim of rape, either recently or historically, and are looking for help, support is out there. If you have recently been raped and you are still at risk, ring 999 and ask for the police. Otherwise, the first step is to go somewhere you are safe.
If you want to report your rape to the police, ring 999 or the police non-emergency line on 101. An Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) will often be on hand to help you through reporting and even after you have made a statement, you can still decide to withdraw from the criminal justice process at any time.
If you plan on going to the police, if possible, do not wash your clothes or shower, bathe or brush your teeth. If you do get changed, keep the clothes you were wearing in a plastic bag. These steps will help to preserve any DNA evidence your attacker may have left on your body or clothes.
If you don't want to contact the police, Rape Crisis suggest talking to someone you trust about what has happened; or you can ring one of the UK's many rape and sexual assault helplines. Anyone aged 16+ can contact Rape Crisis's 24/7 Support Line by calling 0808 500 2222 or starting an online chat.
If you have been injured, you're best advised to go to your nearest A&E to seek medical treatment. If you are uninjured, you can go to your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The NHS has information on where to find your nearest centre here. If your rape is historic, you can still access support, including from the police – there is no time limit on reporting and your account can still be used as evidence.
