Conor McGregor Channels Trump’s ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ in Defiant Response to Assault Ruling
It’s not hard to imagine Conor McGregor making a lucrative sporting comeback soon on some gaudy night in the Nevada desert. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Conor McGregor has taken to social media with a fiery tirade, borrowing President-elect Donald Trump’s now-famous “fight, fight, fight” phrase as he continues to defend himself in the wake of his recent civil assault case.
The former UFC champion remains embattled following a Dublin High Court ruling on November 23 that found him liable for assaulting Nikita Hand, a Dublin mother-of-one, in a 2018 incident she described as “brutally raped and battered.” McGregor, who denies the allegations, has since posted a series of defiant messages, rejecting the lawsuit’s outcome and vowing to fight the decision.
In a Tuesday Instagram post, McGregor dismissed media coverage of the case, writing: “Who gives a f** about the fake press.”* He followed up with the Trumpian rally cry: “Fight, fight, fight.”
The phrase notably mirrors Trump’s words during his July campaign rally, where he shouted “Fight!” after surviving an assassination attempt that left him with a gunshot wound to his ear. Trump’s defiant gesture became a symbol of perseverance among his supporters.
McGregor’s reference didn’t stop there. The controversial fighter also shared a post reiterating: “Never settle with blackmailers. EVER,” a sentiment that echoed ongoing discussions surrounding allegations against rapper Jay-Z.
The fighter’s social media activity comes as his legal troubles mount. Following the court’s decision, McGregor faces approximately $1.6 million (€1.5 million) in legal costs after Ms. Hand’s successful lawsuit.
Mr. Justice Alexander Owens, who presided over the case, criticized McGregor’s post-verdict conduct, specifically a tweet calling the court a “kangaroo court.” Owens condemned the social media post as an “unacceptable attempt to undermine the jury,” raising the possibility of citing McGregor for contempt of court.
Despite the court’s rebuke, McGregor remains unapologetic. The “fight, fight, fight” message—and his visible borrowing of Trump’s rhetoric—suggests he sees himself in a similar battle for redemption and public favor.
The UFC star previously sent well-wishes to Trump after the rally incident, praising him on X (formerly Twitter): “A 78-year-old multiple billionaire he should be on a yacht on the med touring golf courses. But he is not. He is in Pennsylvania spitting out bullets! Running for the love of his country! God Donald! God bless the United States [prayer and heart emojis].”
Now, with his own public image under fire and a hefty court-ordered cost ahead, McGregor appears to be channeling Trump’s defiance as he fights for his reputation—and his future.
