CONOR McGregor was reportedly filmed leading a woman by the hand into a bathroom before he allegedly raped her at the NBA Finals.
The UFC star, 34, said the footage would help prove his innocence after it was published by TMZ this morning.
Getty Images – GettyConor McGregor at the NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat on June 9[/caption]
Getty Images – GettyMgGregor was pictured watching the game and joined the on-court entertainment during a break in play[/caption]
He has denied wrongdoing, and suggested the woman’s lawyer went public with allegations after seeking a payout.
The woman claims McGregor “aggressively kissed” her and forced her to have oral sex with him following the Denver Nuggets‘ win against Miami Heat in Florida on June 9.
TMZ’s new video shows the Irish fighter wearing a black T-shirt as he moves through a crowd at Miami’s Kaseya Center.
He moves towards a woman, and after a brief exchange of words leads her away by the hand.
Seconds later, they appear to enter the men’s bathroom.
Three heavy-set men believed to be a bodyguards are seen standing in the doorway as the footage ends.
Today McGregor’s lawyer said the star was please the footage had emerged.
He said: “After the video was released by TMZ, the claimant’s lawyer has now changed her story.
“Mr McGregor welcomes the investigation, which he firmly believes will show the claims against him are false.”
It comes after the woman handed over a bag of her clothes to police for DNA analysis.
Miami police confirmed they are investigating a report issued to them on 11 June. There is no suggestion anyone has been arrested.
The woman’s lawyer claimed she was initially turned away when she tried to report the alleged attack to cops.
Attorney Ariel Mitchell told The US Sun: “My client didn’t seek out money first.
“On Sunday, before she hired me or sought out any legal counsel, she went to the police directly.
“And the police escorted her out of the building and told her that if she were to report it right then, within 20 minutes, it would go viral and that she should seek legal counsel to either try to resolve this before she filed a report or to help her navigate it if she did file a report.
“Sunday night, she contacted a former client of mine and then they contacted me.
“On Monday I sent out the demand letters.”
Ms Mitchell has alleged security guards blocked the woman from leaving the bathroom during the alleged assault.
She had initially said the bodyguards forced her into the bathroom, but added today: “My client did not even recall who led her into the restroom until seeing this video.”
She has sent letters of demand to McGregor and his agent Audie Attar, NBA general counsel Rick Buchanan, and Miami Heat executive vice president Raquel Libman.
She added: “We had our scheduled appointment with the police on Wednesday (and) we spent three-and-a-half hours with the police where she filed her report.
“She also gave the police clothing that she had on which may contain bodily fluids from Mr McGregor.
“My client shouldn’t have been turned away on Sunday.
“It already took her enough courage to go and do it on Sunday.
“She shouldn’t have had to go get lawyers involved just to file a police report.”
The US Sun has reached out to Miami police for an update on the case and a response to the claim the alleged victim was turned away.
After the claims emerged yesterday, a representative for McGregor said: “The allegations are false.
“Mr McGregor will not be intimidated.”
A UFC spokesman said: “The organisation is aware of the recent allegations regarding Conor McGregor and will continue to gather additional details regarding the incident.
“UFC will allow the legal process to play out before making any additional statements.”
Miami Heat said: “We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation.”
NBA spokesman Mike Bass told the NY Post the league is “aware of the allegations and are working with the team to gather more information.”
The alleged sex assault came on the same evening McGregor was seen punching a mascot in a bizarre skit on the court.
Wearing a ruby red tracksuit, the star joined the entertainment during a break in play.
At one point he felled Heat mascot Burnie with a pre-planned punch and followed up with a left-hander as he lay on the court.
The man in the suit was transported to hospital for treatment, and was later discharged with painkillers.
McGregor said later: “The mascot is good. It was a skit, and all is well.
“I spent a lot of time with him afterward, we talked it out, everything is great. It was all part of the show.”
He is in training for his long-awaited UFC return later this year against fellow fan favourite Michael Chandler, 37.
The alleged assault was said to have taken place after the fourth NBA Finals game in Florida on June 9Getty Images – Getty Read More