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 demanding a share of profits from the sale of the brand, which McGregor reportedly sold to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million. The case was scheduled for hearing in Dublin High Court but was resolved before proceedings, with both parties reaching an agreement. McGregor released a statement expressing satisfaction with the resolution and thanking Lobov for his contribution to the whiskey business, while also noting he can now focus on training for an upcoming summer fight. Lobov stated he was happy with the outcome, and McGregor did not attend the court hearings.
Conor McGregor and former training partner Artem Lobov have resolved their legal dispute over the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand, with both parties reaching a settlement before proceedings got underway at the Dublin High Court.
Lobov had filed a lawsuit seeking a share of profits from the whiskey brand, which McGregor reportedly sold to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million. The case was set for a formal hearing but was settled ahead of those proceedings. McGregor released a statement saying he was satisfied with the resolution and acknowledged Lobov's contribution to the business, while also indicating he can now turn his attention to training for a fight planned for this summer. Lobov similarly expressed satisfaction with the outcome. McGregor did not appear in person at the court hearings.
McGregor, 37, carries a professional MMA record of 22-6-0 and competes out of SBG Ireland. The Notorious has long been one of the most commercially prominent figures in combat sports, and the Proper No. Twelve brand became one of the most visible ventures tied to his name during his time away from competition.
Lobov, also 37 and likewise based out of SBG Ireland, holds a professional record of 13-15-1. The Russian Hammer trained alongside McGregor for a significant stretch of his career, and it was that close association that formed the foundation of his legal claim over the brand.
Why it matters
- The settlement removes a potentially damaging and prolonged legal distraction for McGregor ahead of his stated return to competition.
- Lobov's acknowledged contribution to the brand is now formally recognized through the agreement, closing a chapter on a dispute between two longtime teammates.
- McGregor's mention of a summer fight suggests his camp considers the legal situation cleared sufficiently to focus on an active return.
