Conor McGregor has reached a settlement with former sparring partner Artem Lobov regarding a lawsuit over the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had filed a claim seeking a share of profits from 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 on Wednesday but was resolved before proceedings. McGregor stated he was satisfied with the resolution and thanked Lobov for his contribution to the whiskey business, adding he can now focus on training and his upcoming summer fight. Lobov expressed satisfaction with the outcome, and the judge noted the parties reached a reasonable agreement. McGregor did not attend the court hearings, and his last octagon appearance was in July 2021 when he lost to Dustin Poirier.
Conor McGregor and former sparring partner Artem Lobov have resolved their legal dispute over the Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey brand, with a settlement reached before proceedings could begin at Dublin High Court on Wednesday.
Lobov had filed a claim seeking a portion of the profits from the brand, which McGregor reportedly sold to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million. The case was set for a formal hearing but was resolved before the judge became involved in the substance of the matter. The court noted that the parties had arrived at a reasonable agreement. McGregor, who did not attend the hearings in person, said he was satisfied with the resolution and acknowledged Lobov's contribution to the whiskey business. He added that the conclusion allows him to refocus on training and a planned fight this summer. Lobov also expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
McGregor, 37, carries a professional MMA record of 22-6-0 and competes out of SBG Ireland. The Notorious has not set foot in the octagon since July 2021, when he suffered a loss to Dustin Poirier. He lands 5.32 significant strikes per minute with a 49 percent striking accuracy, among the higher outputs in the lightweight and welterweight divisions.
Lobov, also 39 and based out of SBG Ireland, holds a professional record of 13-15-1. The Russian Hammer is a southpaw standing five feet nine inches tall with a 65-inch reach, and has averaged 3.52 significant strikes landed per minute across his career.
Why it matters
- The settlement ends a potentially damaging legal dispute between two long-time training partners tied to one of MMA's most commercially successful brand ventures.
- McGregor's reference to a summer fight keeps attention on when he might finally return after nearly five years away from competition.
- The resolution removes a legal distraction that had shadowed McGregor's preparations during what he described as an active training camp.
