Conor McGregor has reached a settlement with former sparring partner Artem Lobov over a lawsuit regarding the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had claimed he was owed a share of profits after McGregor sold his stake in the company to Proximo Spirits for over $130 million in 2021. The case was scheduled for a hearing in Dublin High Court on Wednesday but was resolved before trial. McGregor's statement said he was satisfied the matter was settled and could focus on training for his upcoming summer fight. Lobov expressed he was happy with the outcome. The specific financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and McGregor did not attend the court proceedings.
A legal dispute between Conor McGregor and his former sparring partner Artem Lobov has been resolved, with both parties reaching a settlement before their case went to trial at the Dublin High Court on Wednesday, April 15.
Lobov, 39, had filed a lawsuit claiming he was owed a portion of the profits generated when McGregor sold his stake in the Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey brand to Proximo Spirits in a deal worth more than $130 million in 2021. The Russian-born fighter, who carries a professional MMA record of 13-15-1 and trains out of SBG Ireland, argued that his contributions to the brand's early development entitled him to a share of that windfall. Lobov publicly stated he was happy with the outcome of the settlement.
McGregor, 37, is a former two-division UFC champion who holds a 22-6 record and remains one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports. The Dublin native, also out of SBG Ireland, said through a statement that he was satisfied the matter had been resolved and that he could now direct his focus toward training for an upcoming summer fight. McGregor did not attend the court proceedings. The financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed by either side.
Why it matters
- The resolution removes a significant legal distraction for McGregor ahead of his anticipated return to competition this summer.
- Lobov, a longtime teammate and close ally of McGregor inside SBG Ireland, pursued the claim on the basis of contributions made during the brand's formative period.
- The undisclosed settlement terms leave open questions about how profits from the landmark 2021 sale were ultimately distributed.
