Artem Lobov’s return to mixed martial arts will have to wait a little bit longer after it was confirmed on Tuesday that the Arena Fighting Championship card which was to be headlined with a world title bout between ‘The Russian Hammer’ and 17-6 French fighter Ylies Djiroun has been cancelled.
The card was originally intended to take place in Marsiglia, France amid the country’s recent decision to legalise mixed martial arts events within their border, but promoters pivoted last week when it appeared that Coronavirus restrictions may several impact the card.
Organisers quickly moved the fight card to Belgium and had hoped that any final hurdles related to the event going ahead had been cleared, but Lobov was informed early Tuesday that the fight is off and says that he hopes it can be re-arranged for early 2021.
“I woke up this morning to the bad news,” Lobov said exclusively to TheMacLife. “I got a phone call from the promoter saying that’s it, the show is cancelled. I was gutted of course, the camp wasn’t easy as it is between injuries and this and the other and COVID but I got it done, as I always do and was looking forward to putting on a great show.
View this post on Instagram
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the payday but what can you do, life goes on. I will rebuild, I will recover and I will be back stronger than ever. I know that the promoters tried to do everything. They already moved the fight; it was supposed to be in France and they moved it to Belgium, paid for the venue, paid for a lot of the flights for the fighters already. They took a big hit, especially as this was their first show. It’s been a huge hit for them as well.
“I know I will recover and keep pushing forward. We will get that fight done in the new year and I will get that belt — and that paycheque! Thank you very much to everyone for their support and understanding. I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.”
The fight was to be Lobov’s first mixed martial arts contest since a fight with Michael Johnson more than two years ago. Since then, Lobov transitioned to the world of bareknuckle boxing where he earned wins against former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi and a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender against fellow ex-UFC fighter Jason Knight.
In addition to the Lobov vs. Djiroun main event, the card was also set to feature UFC vets Fabio Maldonado and Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva — as well as Medhi Baghdad, a fighter that Lobov knows well from the Frenchman’s stint on Team McGregor on the McGregor vs. Faber season of The Ultimate Fighter four years ago.
