- Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov have fallen out.
- They were once training partners and best of friends.
Conor McGregor and one of his best friends Artem Lobov are going through a messy breakup.
They were once the thickest of thieves, with loyalty to one another so intense it saw McGregor fill an airplane with cohorts to fly halfway across the planet, from Dublin to New York City, so he could confront Khabib Nurmagomedov for slapping Lobov in 2018.
In what became one of the most controversial moments in UFC history, McGregor tracked Nurmagomedov down in a parking lot and threw a dolly at a bus window to intimidate the lightweight fighter who was on board at that time.
McGregor's actions were not without consequences.
A New York Police Department spokesman confirmed to Insider that McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief when he turned himself into the 78th precinct in Brooklyn.
Iconic Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer condemned the fighter, saying McGregor "shit on all of us" at the UFC, when speaking to TMZ.
Regardless, it showed one thing: Nobody could mess with Lobov — not on McGregor's watch.
But now, their relationship has soured. McGregor and Lobov are at war with each other, and it's all because of money.
Where did it all go wrong?
Since McGregor dropped a 10th-round stoppage defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2017, earning a nine-figure payday in the process, he's built multiple streams of income including a whiskey brand called Proper Twelve.
In 2021, McGregor and other Proper Twelve co-founders sold the majority of their stake in the business for $600 million, which saw the Irishman bank $150 million, according to Forbes.
This is the crux of Lobov's complaint against McGregor because, as the Irish Independent reported in November, the Russian fighter — a longtime teammate of McGregor's at the Straight Blast Gym in Dublin — feels entitled to some of that $600 million.
Lobov, according to the Irish Independent, said he was instrumental in helping McGregor build Proper Twelve and wants 5% of the sale purchase (a cool $30 million).
Lobov's attorney Dermot McNamara told the newspaper that they "issued High Court proceedings … to enforce an agreement with Mr. McGregor regarding the Proper Twelve whiskey brand."
McGregor responded in a non-surprising fashion.
"This is a callout to Artem 'the fanny, furly-pad' Lobov," said McGregor in a since-deleted tweet. "I'm challenging you to a fight tonight, 10:30 p.m. at SBG Concord, and we'll fight for the whole lot. We'll fight for the whole lot."
A spokesperson for McGregor told The Mirror that Lobov's claim has no merit: "Proper Twelve was created, developed, branded, and tirelessly promoted by Conor McGregor."
McGregor continued: "We'll see you at SBG Concord tonight at 10:30 p.m. and we'll fight you for the whole lot, yeah? Answer this fucking callout, yeah, you little blouse."
Lobov no-showed SBG, according to a report
The Mirror reported Wednesday that McGregor showed up to the Straight Blast Gym late on Tuesday, perhaps expecting Lobov to be there.
Lobov had sparred McGregor perhaps more often than any other combat athlete over the years. But this was one night he didn't show up to swap slugs with his old buddy.
On Instagram, McGregor posted a photograph of himself standing outside the gym wearing a face-covering and an Ireland shirt, posing with his dukes up.
The Mirror said he could be heard joking that Lobov was in the trunk of his car.
Could McGregor and Lobov ever fight in the UFC?
McGregor and Lobov's argument has captivated the attention of MMA media and fans alike. MMA Fighting even asked in one article Thursday whether a bout between them could be "big business" for the UFC.
It is unclear whether it has even crossed UFC boss Dana White's mind.
But, considering Lobov left the UFC years ago with a three-fight losing streak, it may not be the kind of contest UFC would want to attach itself to — given that White has previously said that one-and-done type fights aren't of interest to him as he prefers building narratives and fights that have a greater purpose.
A greater purpose for McGregor would be to return against a ranked athlete inside UFC's top 15, and see how far up those rankings he can progress before, perhaps, challenging for another championship.
It is likelier that McGregor and Lobov's fight will be contested solely in a courtroom rather than an Octagon.