MIAMI – Former UFC star Conor McGregor is at the center of allegations that he raped a woman inside a bathroom at Miami’s Kaseya Center during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. His lawyer, in a statement, however, says it’s all part of a “shakedown” for money.
TMZ Sports obtained a video that allegedly shows McGregor taking the woman by the hand and leading her to a bathroom where she says she was violently raped on June 9.
The woman also said there was a security guard for McGregor inside a VIP men’s bathroom at the time of the incident. Miami police are investigating.
On Friday, McGregor’s lawyer, Barbara R. Llanes of Gelber Schacter & Greenberg, issued a statement regarding the allegations against McGregor.
“After the video was released by TMZ, the claimant’s lawyer now has changed her story. Mr. McGregor welcomes the investigation, which he firmly believes will show the claims against him are false. After not responding to the demand for money made by claimant’s counsel, she turned to the media to apply pressure. This is no more than a shakedown.”
The accuser said she was forced to perform sexual acts on McGregor while trapped in the bathroom at the arena.
Demand letters were sent to McGregor, the NBA and the Miami Heat earlier this week regarding the alleged incident.
In a demand letter, the woman’s lawyer asserts that: “As the victim tried to exit the stall, Mr. McGregor aggressively grabbed her, pinned her up against the wall and then ripped the elastic waistband of her pants while pulling them down.”
The lawyer representing the accuser said a police report has been filed, and sent a photo of the clothes she said her client was wearing when the alleged assault happened.
The clothes were turned over to police for forensic testing.
On Thursday, the Miami Heat released a statement saying they are conducting an investigation.
“We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation. Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.”
During the game, McGregor received attention for a halftime sketch in which he punched the Heat’s mascot Burnie.
McGregor spoke about the incident on ABC’s “Live With Kelly and Mark” saying: “It was all a part skit, we were backstage, all is well. It was all part of the show.”
The man inside the costume ended up in the hospital.