Conor McGregor has resolved a lawsuit with former sparring partner Artem Lobov concerning profits from the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had filed suit seeking a share of proceeds after McGregor sold his stake in Proper 12 to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million. The case was scheduled for Wednesday at Dublin's High Court but was settled before trial. McGregor's attorney read a statement saying he was satisfied with the resolution and could now focus on training for an upcoming summer fight. Lobov stated he was happy with the outcome. The specific settlement terms were not disclosed, and McGregor did not attend the court hearings.
A legal dispute between Conor McGregor and former training partner Artem Lobov over profits from the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand has been resolved, with both sides reaching a settlement before the case went to trial at Dublin's High Court.
Lobov had filed suit against McGregor seeking a share of the proceeds from the sale of Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits in 2021, a deal reported to be worth over $130 million. The case had been scheduled for hearing on Wednesday but was settled before proceedings began. McGregor did not attend the court hearings, and the specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed publicly.
McGregor, 37, is one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. The Dubliner fights out of SBG Ireland and carries a professional MMA record of 22 wins and 6 losses. A southpaw with a 74-inch reach, he has averaged 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute across his career, with a striking accuracy of 49 percent. His attorney read a statement at the court indicating McGregor was satisfied with the outcome and is now focused on training for a fight expected this summer.
Lobov, also 39 and based in Ireland, trained alongside McGregor at SBG Ireland for much of his career and was widely regarded as a key member of McGregor's inner circle during his rise to prominence. The Russian-born fighter, who holds a professional record of 13-15-1, had claimed entitlement to a portion of the whiskey brand's windfall based on his involvement. He too expressed satisfaction with how the matter concluded.
Why it matters
- The settlement removes a significant off-cage distraction for McGregor ahead of his stated return to fighting
- The case had raised questions about profit-sharing arrangements in athlete-led business ventures
- Both fighters trained together at SBG Ireland, making the dispute an unusually personal legal battle within the same team
