Conor McGregor has reached a settlement with former sparring partner Artem Lobov over a dispute regarding the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had filed a lawsuit seeking a share of the profits after McGregor sold his stake in Proper 12 to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million. The case was scheduled for hearing in Dublin High Court on Wednesday, but the parties reached an agreement that was submitted to the court. In a statement read by his attorney, McGregor said he is satisfied with the resolution and can now focus on training and his upcoming summer fight, thanking Lobov for his contribution to the whiskey business. Lobov stated he is happy with the outcome, while the judge noted the parties reached a reasonable agreement that avoided wasting court time.
Conor McGregor and former training partner Artem Lobov have resolved their legal dispute over the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand, with a settlement submitted to the Dublin High Court on April 15, 2026, avoiding what had been a scheduled court hearing.
Lobov had filed the lawsuit seeking a share of profits from the brand's sale. McGregor sold his stake in Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million, and Lobov argued he was owed a portion of the proceeds for his contributions to the business. Through his attorney, McGregor expressed satisfaction with the resolution and stated he is now focused on training for an upcoming summer fight, also acknowledging Lobov's role in building the whiskey brand. Lobov echoed that sentiment, saying he is happy with the outcome. The presiding judge noted the parties had reached a reasonable agreement that spared the court unnecessary time.
McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6-0 professional record and competes out of SBG Ireland. The Dublin-born southpaw is one of the most prominent figures in MMA history, averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute with a 49 percent striking accuracy.
Lobov, also 39 and based in Ireland, trains at the same SBG Ireland gym that launched both men's careers. The Russian-born fighter holds a 13-15-1 record across his professional career and landed 3.52 significant strikes per minute with a 41 percent accuracy rate during his time competing.
Why it matters
- The settlement closes a high-profile legal dispute between two long-time SBG teammates and training partners
- McGregor's mention of a summer fight signals his camp considers a return to competition on the horizon
- The outcome removes a potential distraction from McGregor's preparation ahead of that anticipated bout
