Conor McGregor has resolved a lawsuit with former sparring partner Artem Lobov regarding McGregor's Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had filed suit demanding a share of profits after McGregor reportedly sold his stake to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for over $130 million. The case was scheduled for hearing in Dublin High Court on Wednesday but was settled before proceedings. McGregor's statement read in court expressed satisfaction with the resolution and thanked Lobov for his contribution to the whiskey business, adding that he can now focus on training for an upcoming summer fight. Lobov stated he was happy with the outcome, though financial terms were not disclosed.
Conor McGregor and former sparring partner Artem Lobov have settled a legal dispute over McGregor's Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand, with the case resolved before proceedings could begin at Dublin High Court on Wednesday.
Lobov had filed suit seeking a share of the profits from the whiskey venture after McGregor reportedly sold his stake in the brand to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for more than $130 million. A statement from McGregor, read aloud in court, expressed satisfaction with the resolution and acknowledged Lobov's contribution to building the business. McGregor added that the settlement allows him to refocus on training ahead of a planned summer fight. Lobov, for his part, also stated he was happy with the outcome. Financial terms were not disclosed by either side.
McGregor, 37, holds a professional MMA record of 22-6-0 and competes out of SBG Ireland. The Dublin-born fighter, known as "The Notorious," has long been one of the sport's most recognizable figures, averaging 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute over his career with a striking accuracy of 49 percent.
Lobov, 39, is a fellow SBG Ireland product who carries a 13-15-1 professional record. Known as "The Russian Hammer," the Ireland-based southpaw landed 3.52 significant strikes per minute across his MMA career and posted a striking accuracy of 41 percent. He and McGregor trained together for years before Lobov largely stepped away from active competition.
Why it matters
- The settlement removes a potentially damaging public legal battle for McGregor ahead of his stated return to fighting this summer.
- Lobov's acknowledgment of Lobov's role in the whiskey brand, made on record in open court, may carry significance beyond the financial terms that were withheld.
- With the dispute resolved, McGregor's team can now direct full attention toward his comeback, keeping him in the headlines for sporting rather than legal reasons.
