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, social media users were quick to shame Fallon for giving him a 'platform'.
Background of the Controversy
This backlash stems from McGregor having been found liable in a civil case for the 2018 rape of a woman at a Dublin hotel. Nikita Hand was awarded €248,603 (£206,000) in damages following the jury's ruling. A paramedic who assessed Hand the day after the incident told the court she had not seen 'someone so bruised' in a long time.
Social Media Outrage
X users furiously berated Fallon for helping to 'rehabilitate' McGregor's public image. @DeLuainatic tweeted: 'This is disgusting. Shame on @jimmyfallon'. @whimsywordstwo wrote that 'no one with an ounce of moral credibility would platform this human piece of trash'. @HollieP80216260 told the presenter: 'You should be ashamed of yourself!!!'
@TeresabDB62 wrote: 'You're a disgrace @jimmyfallon have this disgusting man on your show. You have daughters. Shame on you'. Fallon shares an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old with his producer wife, Nancy Juvonen. @Secti0n31 declared that 'whatever respect [they] had for @FallonTonight is now officially gone'. @bgeekvaiden called the interview 'absolutely vile'.
@bbettiekaren raged: 'I don't ever want to hear how rape accusations ruin mens careers'. @PedlarFan added: 'This is what we talk about when people say men being silent helps the men who are violent'.
Interview Highlights
During the interview, the studio audience clapped and cheered for McGregor. Fallon gleefully reminisced about going out drinking together the last time they filmed, saying: 'We'll have to do it again!' On his UFC comeback, McGregor declared he was 'excited' and 'ready to rock' after 'five years out of the game'. Fallon told him: 'You're considered one of the best MMA fighters in the world,' referring to McGregor as 'my man'.
On facing 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 will take on Holloway on July 11.
The Civil Case Details
At the time of the sexual assault court case, hundreds of people in Dublin staged a demonstration in 'utter solidarity' with Hand. Evidence included testimony from Dr Daniel Kane, a gynaecologist and forensic examiner, who said Hand was 'shaking and crying' and detailed 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 that became 'wedged inside'.
After the verdict, Hand reflected on the 'nightmare', stating she felt 'justice has been served'. 'It's something that I'll never forget for the rest of my life,' she added.
McGregor's Response
When originally interviewed by police, McGregor responded with 'no comment' around 100 times. After the trial, he issued a public statement denying wrongdoing and claiming the sex was consensual. He posted on X: 'People want to hear from me, I needed time. I know I made mistakes... everything that happened that night was consensual... I have instructed my legal team to appeal the decision.'
McGregor did appeal, which Hand said 'retraumatised' her 'over and over again'. The appeal judges ruled unanimously that his 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.'
NBC and reps for Jimmy Fallon have been contacted for comment.
