Conor McGregor has paid compensation to Artem Lobov following a dispute over Lobov's alleged contribution to the creation of Proper Twelve whiskey. Lobov had filed a lawsuit claiming he deserved compensation for his role in helping launch the whiskey brand. Media reports indicate McGregor earned over $100 million from selling his shares in the whiskey company. Both McGregor and Lobov have declined to reveal the specific amount of the settlement. Lobov had previously claimed he was the one who came up with the original idea for the brand.
Conor McGregor has reached a financial settlement with longtime teammate Artem Lobov, resolving a legal dispute centered on Lobov's claimed role in the creation of Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey, according to media reports published April 16, 2026.
Lobov had filed a lawsuit against McGregor alleging he deserved a share of the proceeds from the whiskey brand, which he said was his idea to begin with. McGregor went on to earn more than $100 million when he sold his stake in the company. The two sides have declined to disclose the settlement figure.
McGregor, 37, is one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. The Dubliner carries a 22-6-0 professional MMA record and competes out of SBG Ireland. At his peak he was a two-division UFC champion, and his striking numbers reflect his elite offensive output — landing 5.32 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy across his career.
Lobov, also 39 and based in Ireland, is a fellow SBG product who trained alongside McGregor for years. Known as The Russian Hammer, he holds a 13-15-1 professional record and competed primarily at featherweight. He averages 3.52 significant strikes landed per minute and fights out of a southpaw stance, mirroring McGregor's style.
Why it matters
- The settlement closes a public legal dispute between two long-associated teammates and training partners
- Lobov's claim, if validated by the settlement, raises questions about how founding contributions to fighter-linked business ventures are recognized and compensated
- McGregor's Proper Twelve sale remains one of the most lucrative business exits by any athlete in combat sports history, making the financial stakes of the dispute significant regardless of the undisclosed sum
