Artem Lobov has been released by the UFC after compiling a 2-5 record within the Las Vegas-based promotion.
The SBG Ireland representative hinted at his departure Tuesday on Twitter, and multiple outlets have since confirmed the featherweight fighter’s release. Lobov expressed interest in multiple promotions, including Bellator, KSW, Rizin and One Championship. He also mentioned kickboxing or boxing as a possibility.
Locked and loaded, ready to take on anyone and everyone!!! Who wants it!!?! @BellatorMMA @KSW_MMA @rizin_PR @bareknucklefc @ONEChampionship @ACA_League
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 29, 2019
K1 has always been on my radar, proper fights!!! Buakaw, Senchai…
.send them my way, it would be a huge honour to share the ring with them!!! @GLORY_WS— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 29, 2019
Boxing is a great sport, but it lacks entertainment lately. Time to bring in the big guns!!! Who wants it!?!
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 29, 2019
Lobov was something of a controversial figure in the UFC, as he managed to hang around in the organization despite a pedestrian win-loss record, a fact which was often attributed to his notoriety as a training partner of former two-division champion Conor McGregor.
“The Russian Hammer” went the distance in all seven of his Octagon appearances after appearing on Season 22 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He earned victories over Teruto Ishihara and Chris Avila while falling to Michael Johnson, Andre Fili, Cub Swanson, Alex White and Ryan Hall. Lobov is 13-15-1 with one no contest over the course of a pro career that began in 2010.
After his most recent defeat to Johnson at UFC Moncton, SGB Ireland head trainer John Kavanagh issued a passionate statement on Lobov’s behalf.
“I don’t think Artem has the skills to be a UFC world champion, I can be honest and state that but he 100 [percent} has earned the respect of his fellow fighters and shown, independently, he earned his spot on that stage,” Kavanagh wrote in October. “He understands the business and knows how to build a fight and always brings an exciting contest. Love him, hate him fans are always engaged when the Russian Hammer is on a card. I do not know what is next for him. Maybe he will decide to put his masters in finance or his fluency in [five] languages to use in the corporate world but if he fights again I will proudly stand behind him holding his bucket.”