Watch: Artem Lobov Is Eyeing Up A Switch To Boxing And Says He Would Fight Paulie Malignaggi

Artem Lobov lost a unanimous decision to Andre Fili at UFC Gdansk on Saturday night and the SBG Ireland featherweight’s MMA record now stands at 13-14, 1 no-contest. 

Lobov finds himself now riding a two-fight losing streak having lost to fourth-ranked 145lb in the UFC, Cub Swanson, back in April. It is a sticky situation The Russian Hammer lies in as he slides further away from the top of the division. Although he has a number of fights remaining on his current UFC contract, Artem announced post fight in Poland that he may seek to be released from his deal in order to take up boxing.

Obviously inspired by his teammate Conor McGregor’s switching of codes from mixed martial arts to boxing earlier this year, Lobov feels as though he could make it in the boxing game.

Artem is well known to be as tough as they come in MMA circles with his heart far out-weighing his skill level in reality.

Not sure what the future holds dont want to be retiring & coming back a thousand times. Will think about the futue & update.Thank u all ????

— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) October 21, 2017

Much like when ‘The Notorious’ made his cross over to the boxing ring in August to face Floyd Mayweather, it is difficult to gauge how fruitful an endeavour a switch to boxing would be for Lobov.

However, unlike McGregor’s foray into the world of professional boxing, Artem’s fights would be certain to attract nowhere near the level of attention which the UFC lightweight champ’s did.

That is unless the opponent across the ring from The Russian Hammer was a strong PPV draw themselves. A fight with Paulie Malignaggi would do good numbers.

When Artem stated his intention to switch over to boxing after his loss on Saturday, he was probed on the idea of taking on the outspoken boxer who had a very public falling out with McGregor and his team throughout the build-up to the Mayweather fight.

See what he had to say for yourself.