Conor McGregor has paid compensation to former teammate Artem Lobov following a legal dispute over the Proper Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov had filed a lawsuit claiming he helped create the whiskey brand and deserved financial compensation, particularly after reports indicated McGregor earned over $100 million from selling his stake in the company. Both McGregor and Lobov have declined to disclose the amount of the settlement reached. Lobov had previously claimed he was instrumental in developing the concept for the whiskey brand. The resolution appears to close a contentious chapter between the former training partners and friends.
Conor McGregor has reached a financial settlement with former teammate Artem Lobov, resolving a lawsuit tied to the Proper Twelve Irish whiskey brand, with the agreement confirmed on April 16, 2026.
Lobov, who trains alongside McGregor at SBG Ireland, had filed the lawsuit claiming he played a meaningful role in developing the concept behind Proper Twelve and was therefore entitled to a share of the proceeds. The dispute gained particular weight after reports surfaced that McGregor earned in excess of $100 million when he sold his stake in the brand. Neither man has disclosed the terms of the settlement.
McGregor, 37, is one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports history. The Irish southpaw holds a professional MMA record of 22-6-0 and built much of his fame as a two-division UFC champion before expanding into business ventures, most notably Proper Twelve. His striking output of 5.32 significant strikes landed per minute and a 49 percent striking accuracy reflect a fighter whose aggression translated into a broader cultural profile.
Lobov, also 39 and Irish-based, shared the same SBG Ireland gym and was a close training partner and friend to McGregor for years. He carries a professional record of 13-15-1 and competed primarily as a featherweight. Outside the cage, Lobov pursued a career in bare-knuckle boxing after departing the UFC.
Why it matters
- The settlement ends a public legal dispute between two former friends and longtime training partners
- It raises broader questions about how fighters and their associates share in the commercial opportunities built around a fighter's brand
- The resolution closes what had become a contentious public chapter in McGregor's post-fighting business career
