Conor McGregor reached a settlement with former sparring partner Artem Lobov regarding a lawsuit over the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had sued McGregor seeking a share of profits after McGregor reportedly sold his stake to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million. The case was scheduled for Wednesday in Dublin High Court but was resolved before proceedings. McGregor's statement expressed satisfaction with the resolution and thanked Lobov for his contribution to the whiskey business. Lobov also indicated he was happy with the outcome, though specific settlement terms were not disclosed.
Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov have resolved their legal dispute over the Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey brand, with both parties reaching a settlement before proceedings were set to begin at the Dublin High Court on Wednesday, April 15.
McGregor, 37, is one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. The Irish southpaw carries a professional MMA record of 22 wins and 6 losses and has long competed out of SBG Ireland. Beyond the cage, he co-founded Proper No. Twelve whiskey before reportedly selling his stake to Proximo Spirits in 2021 in a deal valued at over $130 million. McGregor issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the settlement and acknowledged Lobov's contribution to the brand's success.
Lobov, also 39 and Irish-based, trained alongside McGregor at SBG Ireland for years and served as a regular sparring partner. The Russian-born fighter holds a professional record of 13 wins, 15 losses, and 1 draw. He had filed the lawsuit claiming he was owed a share of the whiskey's profits, arguing that his involvement in the early stages of the business entitled him to compensation. Lobov also indicated he was happy with how the matter was resolved, though neither side disclosed the specific financial terms of the agreement.
Why it matters
- The settlement closes a legal chapter that had drawn significant public attention given the long personal and professional history between the two fighters
- Both men trained under the same roof at SBG Ireland, making the dispute an unusually high-profile falling out within a tight-knit team
- The resolution, with both parties expressing satisfaction, suggests the terms were mutually acceptable, though the undisclosed details leave the full picture unclear
