Conor McGregor has paid compensation to Artem Lobov, who claimed he was owed for his contribution to the creation of Proper Twelve whiskey. Lobov had previously filed a lawsuit seeking payment. McGregor reportedly earned over $100 million from selling his stake in the whiskey brand. Both McGregor and Lobov declined to disclose the amount of the settlement, though Lobov is said to be satisfied with the compensation. Lobov had earlier claimed he was the one who came up with the idea for the whiskey.
Conor McGregor has reached a financial settlement with former teammate Artem Lobov, compensating him following a legal dispute over the origins of Proper Twelve Irish whiskey, the brand McGregor sold for a reported sum exceeding $100 million.
McGregor, 37, holds a professional MMA record of 22-6 and built his name as one of the sport's most recognizable figures fighting out of SBG Ireland in Dublin. The southpaw striker is among the most statistically prolific finishers of his era, landing 5.32 significant strikes per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate across his career. His business ventures outside the cage, most notably Proper Twelve, proved equally lucrative.
Lobov, 39, also a southpaw out of SBG Ireland, carries a professional record of 13-15-1. Known by the nickname The Russian Hammer, the 175-centimetre featherweight and lightweight contender averaged 3.52 significant strikes per minute throughout his career. He had claimed publicly that the concept behind Proper Twelve originated with him, and subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking financial recognition for that contribution.
Why it matters
- The settlement closes a legal dispute between two longtime training partners and teammates at SBG Ireland
- Lobov previously went on record stating he conceived the idea for the whiskey brand, a claim that underpinned his lawsuit
- McGregor's reported $100 million-plus exit from the brand made the valuation of any founding contribution a significant financial question
- Neither party disclosed the settlement figure, though Lobov is reported to be satisfied with the outcome
