Michael Chandler isn’t the only fighter Conor McGregor has to worry about.
UFC 303 will see the return of “The Notorious” in Las Vegas on June 29, 2024. Before he finally collides with Chandler, McGregor will have to continue his legal battle with old friend and teammate, Artem Lobov.
McGregor, 35, started his now-famous whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, with Lobov in 2018. Since then, the duo have fallen out and a majority brand stake was sold for $600 million to Proximo Sport in 2021. Lobov has claimed to have been promised five percent of the stake but never received any money. He’s suing for that percentage while McGregor reportedly offered Lobov $1 million which was rejected.
The former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion, McGregor, is forced to comply with a High Court order by tomorrow, requiring the disclosure of his personal benefits from the sale, according to The Irish Sun. On top of the percentage lawsuit, Lobov had a second case against his former teammate and business partner for defamation. McGregor labeled Lobov a “rat” on his Twitter account in late 2022. However, the Dublin High Court closed that case and cleared McGregor of any wrongdoing.
When McGregor enters the Octagon against Chandler next month, it will be his first time competing since a first round technical knockout loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021 (watch highlights). Lobov, 37, hasn’t fought in the same amount of time as his last appearance came in a bare-knuckle boxing (BKB) match against Denys Berinchyk. “The Russian Hammer” lost the Mahatch Fighting Championship bout via fourth round retirement (watch highlights).