Artem Lobov Leaks Texts From Ex-Friend Conor McGregor As Legal Battle Over $30 Million Chunk of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey Sale Rages on
Russian fighter Artem Lobov (left) poses with Irish fighter and founder of Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey Conor McGregor. (Photos: Artem Lobov/Instagram)
On Tuesday, talkSPORT reported that Artem Lobov, the former friend and teammate of MMA star Conor McGregor, leaked text messages sent to him by The Notorious during an ongoing lawsuit over the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov, nicknamed “The Russian Hammer,” claims that he is owed 5% of the money that McGregor and his associates made when Proper No. Twelve was sold to Proximo Spirits for £476 million ($606 million) in 2021.
Five percent of $606 million would come out to more than $30 million.
talkSPORT additionally reported that in early December, McGregor admitted to offering Lobov the equivalent of $1 million for Lobov’s work developing the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand. Lobov is currently suing the MMA star over claims of a verbal agreement that he would receive 5% of the sale. McGregor adamantly denies this.
Lobov allegedly shared a text message exchange with McGregor, which he shared on social media with the caption: “I have full trust in the Irish legal system and look forward to clearing my name in the High Court. I’ve been the most loyal friend to Conor, never allowed myself to take money from my brother for camps, because we helped each other achieve our dreams! It’s been an honor for me to help him build his biggest business!”
The photos of the text exchange Lobov shared read the following:
“This fight and this whiskey deal I am going to look after you! You are always there for me brother and I appreciate your work,” an alleged message from McGregor read.
Lobov expressed his excitement and replied that the whiskey was “going to be huge!”
He then went on to claim in the text exchange that McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, told him McGregor was going to give him a percentage of the profits.
“It’s going to be a massive success!” Lobov’s message concluded.
According to the screenshot, McGregor responded, “Don’t worry ’bout it my brother!”
Lobov leaked alleged texts between Conor McGregor and himself on his social account.
In August 2022, Lobov claimed he was the brains behind Proper No. Twelve. The Russian Hammer divulged a few tidbits while promoting his book at the time.
“The selling point of my book will be the Proper 12 Whiskey story. A few people know, but this was actually my idea. I was the person who came up with the idea to do a whiskey with Conor,” Lobov expressed to talkSPORT.
According to the Russian fighter, McGregor’s initial plan was to launch an Icelandic vodka.
Lobov claimed that he told McGregor it wasn’t worth launching a vodka brand in Iceland because the country is expensive and he believed market demand for vodka would be low.
Lobov claimed he had studied Irish whiskey history and expressed his belief to McGregor the market had huge potential for the category. McGregor allegedly encouraged Lobov to put a pitch together and come back to him. Lobov claims he “went on and met all different whiskey distilleries.”
“I called some and met some in person. I did my research and put a beautiful deal together,” Lobov said.
According to Lobov, he pitched McGregor on the deal and got the fighter on board. McGregor allegedly offered him $1 million on the spot, but Lobov refused to accept the sum. Yet, somehow, things changed for the Russian fighter and he filed a lawsuit against McGregor claiming the Proper No. Twelve idea was his in November 2022.
A bitter war of the words ensued between the friends turned foes, and one month later, Lobov filed a defamation suit against McGregor, who called him a “rat” and a “sausage.”
MMA Fighting reports that the judge sided with McGregor and claimed that Lobov’s actions were “draconian,” citing “freedom of expression.”
The verdict currently remains in the hands of the Irish legal system and is yet to be decided.
Follow The Daily Pour:
