Conor McGregor has paid compensation to Artem Lobov following Lobov's claims that he helped create the Proper Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had previously filed a lawsuit demanding payment for his contribution to the brand's development. Media reports indicated McGregor earned over $100 million from selling his shares in the whiskey company. Both McGregor and Lobov declined to disclose the exact amount of the settlement. Lobov had previously claimed he was the one who originated the whiskey concept.
Conor McGregor has paid a financial settlement to fellow SBG Ireland teammate Artem Lobov, resolving a legal dispute centered on Lobov's claimed role in creating the Proper Twelve Irish whiskey brand, according to reports published on April 16, 2026.
Lobov had filed a lawsuit alleging he originated the concept behind Proper Twelve and contributed to its development, arguing he deserved a share of the proceeds. McGregor reportedly earned more than $100 million when he sold his stake in the company. Neither fighter disclosed the exact figure paid in the settlement.
McGregor, 37, is one of combat sports' most recognizable names. The Dubliner carries a professional MMA record of 22-6-0 and competed as a two-division UFC champion at featherweight and lightweight. A southpaw standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, he has averaged 5.32 significant strikes per minute across his career at a 49 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most efficient strikers in the sport's history.
Lobov, also 39 and based in Ireland, is a longtime McGregor training partner and member of SBG Ireland. The southpaw striker, nicknamed The Russian Hammer, holds a professional record of 13-15-1 and has averaged 3.52 significant strikes landed per minute at 41 percent accuracy. The two have maintained a close personal and professional relationship throughout their careers.
Why it matters
- The settlement closes a public legal dispute between two longtime teammates and close friends
- McGregor's Proper Twelve venture became one of the most lucrative brand deals in combat sports history, making the allocation of credit a significant financial matter
- The outcome could set an informal precedent regarding how fighters and their teams are compensated when commercial ventures grow out of shared relationships
