Latest news with #ProperNoTwelve
Sunday World
18-05-2025
- Sunday World
McGregor whiskey trial deferred after former friend comes across new information
Millions of euro are at stake in high-profile trial over Proper No Twelve The trial of a multi-million euro lawsuit taken against Conor McGregor by his former friend and sparring partner Artem Lobov over the creation of a whiskey brand will not now go ahead next week. An eight-day High Court case was due to get under way on Tuesday. But that date was vacated yesterday by Mr Justice Brian Cregan after lawyers for Mr Lobov said their client wished to amend his pleadings. The eleventh-hour intervention came after Mr Lobov came across new information and wished to change the date he believed an alleged oral agreement with Mr McGregor had been discussed. While Mr Lobov's side wished to go ahead with the trial as scheduled, following an objection from lawyers for Mr McGregor, they consented to the trial date being vacated. The court will now hear an application to change details in the plenary summons and statement of claim next Wednesday. It is unclear when the trial might now take place. Millions of euro are at stake in the case, which was set to be heard just six months after another high-profile civil action involving Mr McGregor. Dublin hair stylist Nikita Hand was awarded close to €250,000 in damages last November after her successful civil rape case against the former UFC champion. Mr McGregor is appealing the outcome and is seeking a retrial. Mr Lobov (38), a mixed martial arts fighter known as 'The Russian Hammer', claims to have been the initial creator and co-founder of the whiskey that became Proper No Twelve. He alleges Mr McGregor (36) reneged on an oral agreement to pay him 5pc of proceeds from the sale of the whiskey brand. The claims are disputed by Mr McGregor. In legal filings, Mr Lobov said he accepted the alleged offer made by Mr McGregor while they were in a gym in Dublin in September 2017, and that there were three others present when this occurred. But his counsel Andrew Walker SC told the court yesterday that his client had discovered an old phone 'which gave him further clarity on the date' and Mr Lobov now said the oral agreement was reached within a six-day period in October 2017. Mr Walker sought leave to bring a motion for the amendment of the pleadings, to change the date of the alleged agreement. Were the court to side with Mr Lobov, Mr McGregor could be ordered to pay him close to €6m Shelley Horan BL, for McGregor, said if the application was made, her side would not be in a position to go ahead with the trial on Tuesday. 'We have a number of witnesses lined up to meet a particular type of case, which would change if the amendment is granted,' she said. Ms Horan also said her side's discovery requests had extended only to the end of September 2017. Mr Walker said the amendment would not change things because there was no memo of the agreement. However, Mr Justice Cregan said he was 'not impressed'. 'It is quite clear the defendant is prejudiced by this application. Whether it is successful or not successful, your witness is now going to give evidence about a completely different date and the defendant needs time to prepare its defence for that date,' the judge said. Mr McGregor is reputed to have been paid $130m (€116.1m) when he and two other shareholders subsequently sold their stakes in the whiskey to Proximo Spirits, owners of Jose Cuervo tequila, for a reported $600m in 2021. Were the court to side with Mr Lobov, Mr McGregor could be ordered to pay him close to €6m. Mr Lobov claims he suggested in late 2016 that Mr McGregor develop a whiskey Russian-born Mr Lobov, a retired professional fighter with a master's degree from DCU in finance and capital markets, claims he came up with the whiskey brand idea after studying the liquor market in university. He alleges that in a gym, Mr McGregor orally agreed that he would receive 5pc of the proceeds of the whiskey. Mr McGregor later offered to pay him $1m for what he claims was Mr Lobov's 'limited involvement in prior events', but denies any such agreement existed. Mr Lobov refused to take the money. In the proceedings, Mr Lobov claims he suggested in late 2016 that Mr McGregor develop a whiskey and that he was authorised by him to investigate potential deals. Artem Lobov and Conor McGregor News in 90 Seconds - May 18th This, Mr Lobov says, culminated in him identifying West Cork Distillers and Malones Whiskey as potential partners in a deal that would have seen Mr McGregor retain 100pc ownership of the brand and a company incorporated to sell the whiskey, with profits split on a 50-50 basis with the distillers. However, Mr McGregor instead incorporated a company called Éire Born Ventures with sports agent Audie Attar and businessman Ken Austin, which entered a joint venture with Proximo Spirits. At a previous pre-trial hearing, Liam Bell BL, for Mr Lobov, told the court his client's case was that he was, in essence, 'muscled out by the parties and wasn't paid what he was due'. Mr Lobov is suing for the specific performance of the alleged agreement or damages; that is, he wants the court to order Mr McGregor to pay him 5pc of the sale proceeds received by the former UFC champion or to pay damages for breach of agreement, misrepresentation and breach of his economic interests.
Irish Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
No mention of Conor McGregor as new owners release new edition of whiskey
The new owners of Conor McGregor's whiskey have brought out a new version of the liquor with no mention of his name. Proximo Spirits launched a new limited edition 13-year-old premier version of the whiskey across America last week for 60 bucks a bottle while the shamed fighter and his ex-sparring partner Artem Lobov were fighting it out over the No Twelve whiskey in the High Court. A source said: "There was no mention of Conor's name at the launch - it was as if he never existed." Whiskey expert Lobov claims the idea of a McGregor whiskey was originally his and Conor promised him a five per cent share in the brand for all the years he worked on the project. McGregor offered him a million quid to settle a few years ago but he turned it down. But now sources say both were shocked when the new 13-year-old version of the whiskey was launched last week with no mention of McGregor - another idea Lobov says was his. It is understood the original idea of number 13 was to commemorate the 13 seconds that it took McGregor to knock out Jose Aldo at UFC 194 on December 12, 2015. The No Twelve idea came from the post code in which he grew up in Crumlin, Dublin. However Proximo, which paid $600 million for McGregor's whiskey, made it clear at the launch of the single malt whiskey that the product had nothing to do with Conor McGregor any more and was a "new era" for the business. He was dropped as the brand ambassador by Proximo last November after he was found liable for sexual assault in the civil action taken against him by Nikita Hand and ordered to pay €250,000 in damages. The fighter is currently appealing that decision. There is no use of his name, face or likeness in relation to Proper No Twelve any more and the same applies to the new 13-year-old bottle. Lander Otegui, executive vice-president of marketing for Proximo Spirits said it represented a new era for the brand. He said: "This 13-year-old Single Malt is a more refined expression that still holds true to our roots - bold, accessible and built for those who appreciate character. "It's a celebration of the exciting future ahead as we continue to expand the brand's Irish whiskey offerings and disruptive approach to the category." McGregor founded his whiskey in 2018 and it became an overnight commercial success story, becoming one of the most popular brands in the USA. He walked away with $130 million from the deal. It is believed he still holds shares in it. The new whiskey is distilled at Bushmill's, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. The 13-year-old whiskey is now on sale in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas and Arizona. The High Court showdown between McGregor and Lobov has been postponed for a couple of weeks while changes are made to the original claim. It is understood private talks between the legal parties involved have so far failed to find a resolution to their dispute. McGregor and Lobov were best mates and used to travel the world together before they fell out. A source close to the case said: "We are all hoping they will sort this row out and make up. The Americans couldn't care less about either of them."
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
McGregor whiskey case not going ahead after 'fundamental' change to original plea
The High Court hearing of a dispute over a claim by a former sparring partner of Conor McGregor for a share in a whiskey brand founded by the MMA fighter is not going ahead as planned next week after the case was "fundamentally changed" to what was originally pleaded. The case by Russian Artem Lobov, claiming he had an oral agreement for a 5% share made with Mr McGregor in a gym in September 2017, was due to begin next Tuesday, with eight days set aside for the hearing. The case concerns Mr Lobov's claim for a share in creating the idea for and working on setting up the Proper No Twelve Irish whiskey brand. It was sold in 2021 to Proximo Spirits for a reported sum of up to US$600m and Mr McGregor was reported to have received US€130m from the sale. Proximo cut ties with Mr McGregor and the brand following last year's separate High Court action in which a civil jury found he should pay almost €250,000 for assaulting a woman, Nikita Hand, in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. That decision is being appealed. On Thursday, a judge said he was reluctantly going to allow the case to proceed next week after he expressed concerns about whether or not it was ready. The court heard Mr Lobov's side was late in lodging pre-trial legal submissions. This meant Mr McGregor's side was unable to have its submissions in before the case was due to begin. On Friday, Mr Justice Brian Cregan was told Mr Lobov's submissions had been received after Thursday's court hearing and they contained a proposal that the date of the alleged oral agreement was not as first claimed to be, in September 2017, but October 2017. Shelley Horan BL, for Mr McGregor, said her side had prepared the case on the basis it was a September date that the alleged oral agreement was made and they had interviewed four people who were supposed to be present when it occurred in a gym. As a result, it had significant implications for the case, which counsel had described as being primarily evidence-based. Her side was prejudiced by this amendment to the case and would now need time to prepare for what would be a new claim. Ms Horan also said no specific date had been given for the September claim, which had created challenges for the defendant in preparing the case. The defence denied there was any oral agreement. Andrew Walker SC, for Mr Lobov, accepted what had happened was wholly unacceptable but he was seeking leave to bring a motion to amend the case next week with an affidavit setting out the rationale as to why this had happened. Asked by Mr Justice Cregan why, when the court set the hearing date for next Tuesday, the fact the case had "changed fundamentally" had not been brought to the judge's attention, Mr Walker said he would like to have that put on affidavit. The new date is a month later, not months later or a different year, he said. New information was discovered by Mr Lobov on an old phone which gave him clarity about the date, he said. After the case was put back to later in the morning for Mr Walker to get instructions, counsel said he was agreeing to an adjournment of next week's hearing. The judge vacated the hearing date but said he would hear Mr Walker's application next week to amend the statement of claim to put in the new October date. Read More Judge reluctantly allows McGregor whiskey brand dispute to go ahead next week
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Conor McGregor reveals reasons for major career pivot amid UFC ‘plateau' as MMA legend's return remains a mystery
CONOR MCGREGOR ventured into the world of fight promotion just over a year ago. The former two-division UFC champion stunned combat sports fans last April by dipping his toes into the world of bareknuckle boxing. 4 4 4 The Irishman, through his McGregor Sports and Entertainment company, acquired significant shares in the fast-rising and brutal Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. His acquisition of shares in BKFC and subsequent undertaking of a promoter's role stunned his legion of fans, many of whom were wondering if the move marked the end of his fighting days. But he couldn't help jumping on board the BKFC ship after being blown away by the beautiful violence the promotion had displayed. In an exclusive interview with SunSport, The Notorious said: "This is a major player in this industry. "Bareknuckle Fighting Championship is a major, major player in this industry. And it's growing fast. "And it's got an unbelievable foundation, it's a rock-solid [foundation]. "With the stable of fighters and a stable team, the team around it that's grown it and built it, this is a serious player in the game." McGregor believes BKFC's rise in popularity has been helped by the stagnation of several combat sports promotions, including the UFC. "In that time, you know, I won't say stale," he said. "But certain things have hit almost a plateau. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Inside McGregor's Notorious lifestyle With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch. Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses. He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle. McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021. That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line. And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler. McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene. Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch. The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend KhabibNurmagomedov. That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus. He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later. Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury. Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017. "Certain other players have hit a plateau. And all of a sudden, bare knuckle arises. "And you've got a wild card, there's huge shows and events all across the world. Conor McGregor appears to confirm his future with two fights left on UFC deal after Donald Trump meeting "And I'm right there with it. The timing was impeccable." McGregor, 36, has become enamoured by the bloodiness and brutality of BKFC, which is fast becoming a globally accepted promotion. And he's eager to one day test himself in the sport, saying: 'I'm not up here just as an owner, player-manager, I'll title myself on this one.' McGregor hasn't fought in any combat sport since breaking his left leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier nearly four years ago. The UFC's first simultaneous two-weight world champion was set to make his grand cage comeback last June against Michael Chandler but was forced out of the Sin City showdown with a broken left pinky toe. The Dubliner sensationally hinted that his fighting days might be over in March when he admitted he's content with his achievements. But he's since performed a U-turn, setting his sights on a long-overdue showdown with Chandler in the wake of his rival's crushing defeat to Paddy Pimblett last month. He wrote on X: "I'll only come back to a stadium. IRON MIKE CHANDLER, unfinished business."
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Irish Examiner
Conor McGregor to face former sparring partner in court next month over whiskey brand deal
Controversial UFC fighter Conor McGregor is facing another High Court showdown within weeks over his Proper No Twelve Irish whiskey brand. MoGregor is due to appear in court on May 22 in a commercial row with one of his former friends and long-time sparring partner Artem Lobov. McGregor is being sued by the Russian native who claims he was promised a 5% stake in the business and that he worked for a couple of years for nothing to help set it up. McGregor and his US investor partners subsequently sold the business for more than $600m to Proximo Spirits in 2021. The fighter himself is believed to have walked away with $150m and Proximo says he no longer has shares in the company. He later offered Lobov €1m in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, which was refused. It is understood that all documents in relation to the case have been given to both sides. The case is listed to be heard between May 20-22 next. McGregor recently lost a civil case taken by Nikita Hand, who claimed he raped her in the penthouse of a Dublin hotel after a night out. McGregor denied the allegation but the jury ruled against him. He is now appealing the verdict. The jury awarded Ms Hand damages of €250,000. The ruling damaged McGregor's business interests, with a large number of brands disassociating themselves from him in the aftermath. This included his Number Twelve whiskey and he is no longer doing any publicity launches for the label. He had acted as a brand ambassador across America for the whiskey which has grown in a short period of time to number two in the market. Proximo Spirits said in a statement after the case last November: "Going forward we do not plan to use Mr McGregor's name and likeness in the marketing of the brand." In an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carson last week, McGregor repeated his desire to run for the Aras later this year, but acknowledged his presidential bid may not get off the ground as he would need the endorsement of four local authorities, or 20 members of the Oireachtas. A legal source said: " It seems all roads for Conor are leading to the High Court again and now he will be watching his business dealings in public. We might actually find out how much money Conor is worth." Read More Conor McGregor must provide certain information about price of whiskey deal, court rules
