Michael Chandler becomes first UFC fighter to break silence on Conor McGregor losing civil sexual assault case

Michael Chandler has become the first UFC fighter to comment on Conor McGregor after he lost a civil sexual assault case.

On Friday, a jury of eight women and four men found McGregor liable for the assault of Nikita Hand in a hotel in 2018 and he was forced pay damages of €250,000.

Hand alleged that McGregor pinned her to a bed, choked her three times and "brutally raped and battered" her, with the court told she suffered extensive injuries.

McGregor denied all the allegations against him and claimed he had consensual sex. In a statement posted, the Irishman confirmed he will be appealing the verdict.

The Dublin High Court ruled that co-defendant, James Lawrence, did not assault Hand.

The 36-year-old has since been dropped from the Hitman 3 video game by producers IO Interactive as a result out of the case's outcome, while Proximo Spirits, who own Proper Twelve whiskey, have distanced themselves from association with McGregor.

Conor McGregor is pictured arriving. Image: Getty

The company said they "do not plan to use Mr McGregor’s name and likeness in the marketing of the brand" going forward.

UFC have yet to issue any type of comment relating to the verdict involving McGregor, who is a former two-weight champion in the promotion.

He ended his statement on the verdict by telling fans he was "getting back to the gym" as "the fight game awaits!" and Chandler, his scheduled opponent for his postponed return back in June, has reacted.

'Iron' Mike said it was a "horrible position" for everything involved but still urged for McGregor to train with a view of finally facing him.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Chandler said: "It's a horrible position for all around, for everyone involved... The best thing he can do, most likely, is to get back moving towards a common goal. Why not fight me? Why not be training to fight me?"

Chandler and McGregor butted heads as coaches of the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter 31, before it was confirmed they would meet in the Octagon in a welterweight bout at UFC 303.

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler were set to face one another. Image: Getty

But after a press conference in Dublin was cancelled at very short notice, it was later confirmed that McGregor had suffered a broken toe in sparring.

Instead, Chandler rematched Charles Oliveira in a lightweight contest at UFC 309, losing via unanimous decision after a brutal five-round bout.

McGregor is set to go to court again in January over a commercial dispute with former close friend Artem Lobov.

Lobov claims Proper Twelve was his idea originally and that he he was promised a 5% stake in the business for his assistance in starting the business.