The Complex Case Of Dee Devlin: Conor McGregor’s Fiancée Stands By Him Through Rape Verdict

When I first saw the photo of Dee Devlin holding hands with Conor McGregor as they walked out of court, the classic sixties hit “Stand By Your Man” by Tammy Wynette started playing in the back of my mind. It's a classic tale of women who choose to stand by their man with no consequences for their actions. But how much can a woman take? Have things gone too far for Dee? And what could be next for the couple?

Their love story started as a fairytale like no other. They met at a club in Dublin while they were both still teenagers, and Conor was about to drop out from plumbing trade school to pursue a career in martial arts. Dee took him in and supported his dream. At the time, she was working full time and paying the bills while also meal-prepping for Conor and driving him to the gym. In many ways, Dee saw the potential in Conor and invested in it, and now they are both receiving dividends for this big investment she made in her early twenties. But this points to one of the big questions in this ordeal – what exactly is she earning from her investment? Investing large amounts of money, time, and overall effort in a relationship not based on marriage can be quite tricky due to the fact that when the relationship ends, one may end up feeling financially used. 

It is estimated that Dee has a net worth of $20 million, which she has built through influencer deals and overall work as a businesswoman. While $20 million is nothing to complain about, it is quite shy from Conor’s net worth, which is now estimated to be close to $200 million. While their finances are combined in everyday life, if Dee were to leave Conor, she would have to depend on his goodwill or the court's tenacity to receive any form of alimony. Not to mention that she would have to share custody of their children or even lose it if Conor deems so. Many argue that these logistical aspects are the reasons she stands by him. She would rather face public humiliation than jeopardize finances or the full breakdown of their family. 

Some have criticized Dee for giving up her dreams to support Conor's dreams, but I would argue that this has also been her dream all along. For many women, finding a man with potential and building the life they desire with him is a dream in itself.

Once Conor made it big in 2015, seven years after moving in with Dee, the couple started having children. Today, they have four children together: Conor Jr. (2017), Croía Mairréad (2019), Rían (2021), and Mack (2023). One must admire the fact that Dee achieved what she set herself to do – creating a family and a successful martial arts career for Conor. But after ignoring concerning behaviors and red flags in the process, Dee is now facing a humiliating scandal that, over time, only seems to be growing and growing. 

Where Things Went Wrong

Dee’s love, support, and incredible devotion to Conor have been highly praised. Even Conor himself has openly given her credit for making him the man he is, but it is sad to see that no amount of love and devotion has motivated Conor to give her the respect she truly deserves. Even after children and many years together, Conor has still fallen short of marrying Dee. During his sexual abuse allegations, his best argument for character defense has been saying that it was consensual rough sex. Meaning he is admitting to many infidelities, most of which occurred while he and Dee were having children. 

Some may argue that marriage is just a contract and a relationship can be quite solid without it, but Dee and Conor’s situation is clear proof of why this is not the case. We do not know the exact reason why the couple has not tied the knot, but we do know that Dee has been devoted while Conor has been unfaithful. In allowing this dynamic for so many years, most likely unknowingly, Dee has fallen into a common trap: believing that love and devotion can change a man, while it is standards, boundaries, and consequences that can actually create change. It is both sad and a clear reflection of human nature. We all push the buttons to test how much we can get away with, and now the evidence is piling up, showing just how much Conor has managed to avoid accountability for his actions.

Since this cycle has been going on for years, it is very likely that Dee has simply become desensitized from the pain caused by these betrayals. Once we accept small, yet continuous acts of disrespect, it becomes more difficult to recognize wrongdoings and to have the mental clarity and ability to step away from these situations. In simpler terms, she may have adapted to the dysfunctionality, so while she may not be enjoying this, she can and chooses to bear it. But why? Dee is clearly a woman of vision and she may be choosing to battle through this for the sake of her young children and the business she has built around Conor. 

Conor has probably said sorry many times, but his behavior has not changed throughout the years. After the court appearance, Conor issued a statement apologizing to Dee while still maintaining that everything that transpired with his victim, Nikita Hands, was "consensual." You can read his statement below:

Conor has been known for saying, “Never apologize,” and it is hard to tell if this is truly a life motto or simply a UFC fighter branding, but it does come to show in the fact that this apology falls short of genuine accountability. While he does apologize to Dee for the infidelity, he also blames Nikita for reaching out on the night of the incident. He's implying that Nikita tempted him to be unfaithful and that, in reaching out, she created the situation he is now being sued for. I personally tend to be diplomatic and at least try to understand both sides, but in this case, one of the main pieces of evidence of rape is Nikita’s heavy bruising and the fact that she had to go to the hospital to have a tampon removed after it was violently pushed inside of her. Any woman understands that had Nikita consented to sex in any way or form, she would have taken a few seconds to remove it, but the evidence points clearly that she did not have the opportunity to do so. 

What’s Next?

Dee has made it clear that she will stand strong by Conor and even accuses the other women of going after him. In an Instagram post and stories, Dee left no room for assumptions about where she is at in this whole scandal. 

Dee insists that these situations belong to the past and are things she and Conor have already worked out, but the latest accusation approaching the court is from the end of 2023, around the same time Dee gave birth to their youngest son. Her response is largely a result of many social media posts questioning why a woman would stand by her man while he is facing such severe accusations. While we may not agree or understand, Dee certainly has a right to make this decision and deal with this situation privately. 

Optimistically thinking, this court process may be Conor’s opportunity to set his life right. Perhaps the court involvement, the business deals in jeopardy, and even his own children’s custody may be a strong enough wake-up call. I really hope this is the case and their relationship manages to come out stronger from this experience. In the not-so-optimistic view, more cases are coming to court against Conor, and the situation may only get more and more difficult. New allegations and the possibility of prison may also disrupt their lives and make it even more difficult to continue with the business as usual attitude they have carried out during this trial.

Closing Thoughts

The tumultuous relationship between Dee Devlin and Conor McGregor raises significant questions about loyalty, love, and personal boundaries. Dee’s unwavering support for Conor through years of infidelities, accusations, and now a guilty verdict for rape, speaks loudly about her commitment to the life they’ve built together. While some may criticize her for tolerating such behavior, it’s clear that Dee has made choices based on her own vision of success and family. Yet, as the legal and emotional consequences continue to unfold, it remains to be seen whether this will be the turning point that leads to genuine change in their relationship or further deterioration. The future is uncertain, but what is clear is that both Dee and Conor must navigate the painful consequences of his actions at a public level, and the hope remains that justice is served and the best interests of their children and their families are prioritized above all else.