McGregor settles legal dispute with Lobov over Proper Twelve whiskey

Conor McGregor and former sparring partner Artem Lobov have reached a settlement in their legal dispute over the Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey brand, resolving the case before it could proceed to trial at the Dublin High Court.

Lobov had filed a lawsuit against McGregor seeking a share of the profits from the sale of Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits in 2021, a deal that netted McGregor more than $130 million. The financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed by either party, though both men expressed satisfaction with the outcome. McGregor was not present at the court proceedings.

McGregor, 37, is one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. The Dublin-born southpaw carries a professional MMA record of 22 wins and 6 losses and trains out of SBG Ireland. He lands an impressive 5.32 significant strikes per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect the elite-level striking that built his reputation across two UFC divisions. He has indicated the settlement clears the way for him to focus on training ahead of a planned summer fight.

Lobov, also 39 and based in Ireland, is a fellow SBG product who shared years of training with McGregor before carving out his own professional career. Known as "The Russian Hammer," the southpaw holds a professional record of 13-15-1 and averages 3.52 significant strikes landed per minute. His legal claim centered on an alleged entitlement to a share of the whiskey venture's considerable proceeds.

Why it matters

• The settlement removes a potentially lengthy and public legal battle between two longtime teammates
• McGregor's stated focus on a summer return puts his MMA career back in the spotlight
• The case had drawn attention to the financial arrangements behind one of combat sports' most lucrative brand deals