Conor McGregor has paid compensation to Artem Lobov, who had demanded payment for his role in creating the Proper Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had filed a lawsuit claiming he helped develop the concept for the whiskey. Media reports indicated McGregor earned over $100 million from selling his shares in the brand. Both McGregor and Lobov declined to disclose the exact amount of the settlement. Lobov had previously claimed he was the one who came up with the original idea for the whiskey venture.
Conor McGregor has reached a financial settlement with longtime teammate Artem Lobov, resolving a legal dispute centered on the origins of the Proper Twelve Irish whiskey brand, with the agreement confirmed around April 16, 2026.
Lobov, known as "The Russian Hammer," had filed a lawsuit against McGregor claiming he played a foundational role in conceiving the whiskey venture and deserved compensation for that contribution. The 39-year-old Ireland-based fighter, who holds a professional MMA record of 13-15-1 and trains alongside McGregor at SBG Ireland, had publicly stated that the original idea for the brand came from him. Media reports indicated McGregor ultimately earned in excess of $100 million when he sold his stake in Proper Twelve, a figure that gave significant weight to Lobov's claims.
McGregor, 37, is one of the most prominent figures in combat sports history. The southpaw from Dublin carries a 22-6-0 professional record and built much of his crossover fame during his time as a two-weight UFC champion. Beyond the octagon, his business ventures — Proper Twelve chief among them — generated enormous commercial returns. Neither McGregor nor Lobov disclosed the specific terms of the settlement.
Why it matters
- The case drew attention to the legal complexities of business partnerships that grow from informal athletic and personal relationships
- Lobov's willingness to pursue litigation against a former close teammate underscored the scale of the financial stakes involved
- The settlement closes a dispute that had cast a shadow over the relationship between two fighters who shared years of training together at SBG Ireland
- Both men decline to reveal figures, leaving the exact value of Lobov's compensation undisclosed
