After being sued, Conor McGregor challenges his former training partner and friend to fight in the gym

Artem Lobov poses next to Conor McGregor. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Even though he has been away from the Octagon for almost a year and a half, Conor McGregor cannot stay away from controversies. After being sued by former training partner Artem Lobov over issues involving his whiskey brand Proper 12, the former featherweight (up to 65,7kg) and lightweight (up to 70,3kg) champion was willing to resolve the issue inside a cage.

Last Tuesday (29), Conor McGregor revealed, through social media, that he had received yet another notification of a lawsuit from Artem Lobov, this time for defamation. Initially, Lobov sued the former champion, claiming to have participated in the creation of Proper 12 whiskey and asking for 5% of the sale value of the brand, acquired by Proximo Spirits, owner of Jose Cuervo tequila, for US$600 million (approximately R$3,17 billion at the current price), in 2021.

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“Artem is trying to sue me and my dad for defamation now too hahahaha oh Lord God bless. Artem, you look like an undercooked sausage. Jump in the pan for a minute, friend, you look raw. God bless you, friend,” McGregor wrote.

Shortly after the first publication, Conor McGregor shared an audio clip challenging Artem Lobov to a fight in the gym, earning the full amount in the process.

“This is a challenge to Artem Lobov. I'm challenging you to a fight tonight at 22:30 pm. I'll meet you at SBG Concorde and we'll fight for the full amount. You're in this business of sending me messages through lawyers about defamation, compensation and everything else. You are a little princess, friend. I'll see you at SBG Concorde at 22:30 pm and fight with you for the entire price. Answer this f***ing challenge, little princess”, challenged the Irishman.

Before the processes, Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov were seen as more than training partners, close friends. The Russian-born Irishman was part of most of the preparations and was constantly in the former champion's corner.

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