Conor McGregor Dropped by Proper No. 12 and Others After Civil Verdict
Conor McGregor, the once-dominant UFC champion and global celebrity, is facing a wave of professional fallout after being found liable in a sexual assault case in Dublin last week. The verdict has not only tarnished his personal reputation but has also led to major brands cutting ties with the Irish fighter, including the whiskey company he helped launch, Proper No. 12.
McGregor, who co-founded Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey in 2018, will no longer be associated with the brand, according to a statement released to the Irish Independent on Tuesday. While McGregor sold his stake in the company back in 2021, he had remained the public face of the whiskey, appearing in marketing campaigns and promotional materials. That partnership, however, has now come to an end.
“Since 2021, Proximo Spirits has been the 100 percent owner of Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey,” the company said in its statement. “Going forward, we do not plan to use Mr. McGregor’s name and likeness in the marketing of the brand.”
The Fallout: Brands and Retailers Sever Ties
The decision by Proper No. 12 is just one of several blows to McGregor’s public image and business ventures. Video game developer IO Interactive, known for its popular Hitman series, also announced it would be ending its collaboration with McGregor. The fighter had been featured as a side character in the game, but the company is now taking swift action to remove all traces of him from their platforms.
“In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately,” the company said in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter). “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr. McGregor from our storefronts starting today.”
Additionally, multiple retailers in Ireland have announced plans to pull McGregor-related products from their shelves. This includes Proper No. 12 whiskey and Forged Irish Stout beer, another brand associated with the fighter. The backlash from the civil case has clearly extended beyond just his personal and professional endorsements, impacting the availability of his branded products in the market.
The Case: What Happened?
The civil case that has sparked this fallout stems from an incident in December 2018. A woman accused McGregor of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room, claiming that he forced her onto a bed, choked her, and made her fear for her life. The woman was treated for injuries by paramedics the following morning. McGregor, now 35, testified in court that the encounter was consensual, but a civil jury in Dublin found him liable for the assault.
The High Court in Dublin ordered McGregor to pay the complainant 248,000 euros, which is approximately $257,000. McGregor has stated that he intends to appeal the decision. It’s worth noting that he is not currently facing any criminal charges related to the case.
McGregor’s Career in Limbo
Once a two-weight UFC champion and one of the most recognizable faces in combat sports, McGregor has not fought in the UFC since 2021. The organization has yet to comment on the civil case or its implications for McGregor’s future in the sport. For a fighter who once seemed untouchable, this latest chapter in his career raises serious questions about his ability to return to the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
- Conor McGregor has been dropped as the public face of Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey following a civil court ruling in Dublin.
- Video game developer IO Interactive has also severed ties with McGregor, removing his character from their Hitman game.
- Retailers in Ireland are pulling McGregor-related products, including Proper No. 12 whiskey and Forged Irish Stout beer, from their shelves.
- The civil case stems from a 2018 incident in which McGregor was accused of sexual assault. He was found liable and ordered to pay 248,000 euros in damages.
- McGregor has not fought in the UFC since 2021, and the organization has not commented on the case.
As McGregor faces the fallout from this verdict, the question remains: can he recover from this scandal, or is this the final chapter in the career of one of MMA’s most polarizing figures? Only time will tell, but for now, the once-unstoppable fighter finds himself on the ropes, both in and out of the octagon.
Originally Written by: Unknown
