Artem Lobov is set to face #4 ranked featherweight Cub Swanson in a fight later this year, multiple sources have confirmed with TheMacLife.com.
The fight, one that Lobov asked for, has been agreed to by both fighters. While the date is currently unconfirmed, some time in Spring appears the most likely, and the two are set to be the main event of an as yet unannounced card.
Lobov began his public campaigning for the bout after being inspired by the fight of the year war Swanson had with Doo Ho Choi at UFC 206.
“I’ve asked for Cub, I’ve asked for Choi. The only reason I even mentioned those two guys was I saw their fight and was like, ‘Wow, that’s a great fight. I want me some of that’,” Lobov said, speaking with TheMacLife last month. “When it’s a good fight I will always admit it and I will always give praise to the guys. Why wouldn’t I want to be involved in one of those fights?”
But, after starting off as a respectful call-out, the bout has taken on an interesting turn, after the two have gone back and forth on social media.
.@CubSwanson or what??
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) February 2, 2017
.@CubSwanson or what??
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) February 2, 2017
.@CubSwanson You mean wait for you to grow a pair??
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) February 2, 2017
My next fight is signed 😈 #KillerCub
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 11, 2017
The fight will be a collision of momentum, with both men coming into the fight on the backs of their career best performances. Last time out, Lobov defeated Teruto Ishihara in Belfast, while Swanson made headlines after winning the now iconic fight with Choi in Toronto.
Judging by those two contests, fans could well be in for a treat come fight night.
–Update–
The UFC have officially confirmed the news, and have announced Artem Lobov vs. Cub Swanson as the main event of a UFC Fight Night event in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 22.
