As long as Artem Lobov remains in the UFC, he will never be short of fights.
One of the great fallacies is that Artem Lobov is an easy stepping stone in the UFC’s featherweight division.
Try telling that to Teruto Ishihara, whose four-fight unbeaten streak was snapped by ‘The Russian Hammer’. Cub Swanson, who ate 46 more strikes from Lobov than he did in his 2016 Fight of Year against Doo Ho Choi, might also tell you otherwise.
Lobov isn’t on the same level as his teammate Conor McGregor, but to be fair, very few fighters are. His 13-13-1-1NC record isn’t the prettiest, but the man takes just about every fight he’s offered. He has no interest in padding his record and despite all those losses, he’s only been finished by strikes once and has just the sole submission loss on his record.
Lobov is set to face Andre Fili at the UFC’s first ever card in Gdansk on October 21. However, if Fili can’t make the walk to the Octagon that day, there is another exciting fighter who will be more than willing to duke it out with the SBG man.
If we were to tell you his name was Zabit Magomedsharipov, you would be forgiven for scratching your head in confusion.
Just take a look at the clip below.
The "Showtime" kick from Zabit Magomedsharipov at #UFCRotterdam!! 😳 pic.twitter.com/T6JlMCjsB0
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 2, 2017
Yes, nearly seven years after Anthony Pettis landed that Showtime Kick on Benson Henderson, this chap was trying it inside the Octagon. Bet you’re going to want to learn how to pronounce his surname now.
The 26-year-old Magomedsharipov improved his professional record to 13-1 with a submission victory over Mike Santiago in his promotional debut at UFC Rotterdam on Saturday.
The Russian, who trains with the likes of Frankie Edgar, Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza and Marlon Moraes, is now riding a nine-fight win-streak. Not only did he attend a ‘Combat Sports Boarding School’ as a youth, but famed coach Mark Henry rates him so highly that he’s actually learning Russian just to coach him.
You heard it from @danhardymma! @zabit_mma is something special! #UFCRotterdam pic.twitter.com/6DLnAjV66d
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 2, 2017
That finish earned him one of those coveted 50 G performance bonuses. Not a bad way to announce yourself to the biggest martial arts promotion in the world.
It also gave him the opportunity to get some extra time behind the mic with Dan Hardy. Although he doesn’t speak English, his translator relayed the message to the everyone tuning in.
“Now I want to fight Artem Lobov. Give me Artem Lobov.”
It didn’t take long for that message to find its mark. Almost instantly, Lobov was on Twitter to respond.
Stay in shape kid, if Fili doesnt show up you can get destroyed instead! Otherwise see you in november 👊🇮🇪🇷🇺
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) September 2, 2017
Lobov will stand with anyone and we saw how creative Magomedsharipov can get on the feet. This feels like a fight that the world needs to see.
