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Conor McGregor has been having an effect on everyone, especially his teammates.
Recently it was announced that McGregor’s longtime training partner Artem Lobov would main event UFC Fight Night: Nashville against fourth-ranked Cub Swanson. Lobov is currently unranked but he garnered up interest in the fight by calling out Swanson after winning a decision over Teruto Ishihara at UFC Fight Night: Belfast last November. The two spent weeks exchanging heated messages over social media until the fight was announced last weekend and now Swanson says he intends to “teach Lobov some manners.”
Cotillion training or not, Lobov is very happy with the bout. Speaking recently with Newstalk, the UFC featherweight said that the fight announcement was an answer to his prayers and that he’s excited to take on one of the best strikers in the division.
“I’m delighted with the matchup. Considering how high up the rankings he is, he’s currently number four, and his style, I feel like he’s perfect for me. He is the type of fight of I’ve been searching for me whole life. I’ve never been able to get a chance of going in there with someone like him. Every other opponent I’ve faced has always tried to take me down. I’ve been calling for a slugfest like this for many years. This is my kind of fight. All my prayers have been answered.”
After getting off to a rock 0-2 start in the UFC, Lobov has strung together back-to-back wins. But Swanson will be a huge leap up in competition for the SBG Ireland product. Swanson has been a top-ranked featherweight dating back to the WEC, and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak of his own, including his most recent outing, a Fight of the Year Contender against highly touted prospect Doo Ho Choi. Lobov says he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“It suits me that he’s coming out of a war with ‘The Korean Superboy’. I think it suits me even more that he’s coming off a win. I want the prime streak. I want him to be at his best out there. The fact that he’s coming off the win makes it a much more interesting fight for me.
“If he was coming off a loss, a lot of people might think that the UFC have thrown me a bone. If I won a fight against an opponent who was coming off a loss, people could say that Cub is over the hill and things like that. Because he’s coming off that big win, everyone knows he’s still in his prime. Without a doubt, if I win this fight, I will prove that I belong in the top tier of UFC.”
Regardless of the outcome, the mere fact that he has positioned himself as the main event of a UFC card is impressive. Not many predicted big things for Lobov after losing to Ryan Hall in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 22 lightweight tournament but hard work, a return to featherweight, and a bit of self promotion have Lobov on the cusp of a UFC ranking and potentially a title eliminator bout somewhere down the line.
“It’s unbelievable, to be honest. It just goes to show you that you should always keep your head down and keep grinding. Never give up. This time last year there was talk of me being cut from the UFC. Now, here I am, facing the No. 4 guy in the world.”
MUST-READ STORIES
Results. UFC 208 took place over the weekend. Here are the results.
Sorry. Germaine de Randamie apologized for repeatedly hitting Holly Holm after the bell.
Waiting game. Jacare Souza won’t wait for a title shot.
Old man. Anderson Silva says he will fight on despite being an “old man.”
Bad night. Dana White was critical of UFC 208 main event and refereeing.
Outclassed. Derek Brunson believes he “outclassed” Anderson Silva at UFC 208.
MEDIA STEW
Post-fight presser highlights.
Khabib interview.
New video but I think it might be from an old interview.
Your daily MayGregor talk.
LFA highlights.
LISTEN UP
Jack Slack.
BATB.
6th Round.
TWEETS
Sounds like his forced retirement might be alllllllllll over.
Thx for the love & support! Missed calling the fights at #UFC208 with my powerful partner, @joerogan. You'll see me around soon #DreamTeam
— Mike Goldberg (@MFG16) February 12, 2017
The big topic today I’m sure.
Had Holly winning 3 rnds to 2 for Germaine not including point deductions that shoulda been made. Germaine is great but it was Hollys night
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 12, 2017
With that being said congrats to Germaine, fought very smart and she is the new 145lb women's champion, excited to see what's next!
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 12, 2017
Cyborg feeling confident she’s coming back soon. Maybe we should wait on counting those chickens.
Sounds like @IronLadyMMA might need some time off. @MeganA_mma you ready to unify the @InvictaFights belts?!
— #UFC208 (@criscyborg) February 12, 2017
Gina still watching.
— Gina Carano (@ginacarano) February 12, 2017
Thought for sure that was broken.
I'm ok no broken bones. Just a lot of pain and swelling https://t.co/rO2QZJNMN1
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 13, 2017
Not a bad one.
Fight was offered to Pettis & Oliveria. Oliveria took the bait. F*ck it, food is food... Let's eat. #ufc210
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) February 12, 2017
Jorge does not like waiting.
I'm responsible for the most injuries in the @ufc w/out even fighting. Soon as @ufc calls, dudes get hurt at the sound of my name #magny
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) February 11, 2017
Maybe this is a fight he can get.
I'm told @GamebredFighter and his team are working very hard to be a part of this. Great idea. https://t.co/duSaBYizlC
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 11, 2017
PLEASE.
@ClaudiaGadelha_ @danawhite @seanshelby Maybe UFC 211?
— KarolinaKowalkiewicz (@KarolinaMMA) February 10, 2017
Tonya sounds mad.
Lol ppl stop talking bout me fighting at 145 in the Ufc, pfft they dnt sign me at 135 where I'm a champion so y would they at 145
— tonya evinger (@tonyaevinger) February 12, 2017
Max.
It's time to put up or shut up #teamblessedmma
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 10, 2017
Lorenz Larkin, man of the people.
John wick 2 is the shit
— Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) February 13, 2017
Brunson feeling good after the loss.
Version 2 of DB in the process. I now know I can slow my striking down and keep my chin down. ITS OVER! #UFC
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 12, 2017
Dang, man.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rose Namajunas (5-3) vs. Michelle Waterson (14-4); UFC on Fox: Kansas City, April 15.
Cub Swanon (24-7) vs. Artem Lobov (13-12-1); UFC Fight Night: Nashville, April 22.
Diego Sanchez (27-9) vs. Al Iaquinta (12-3-1); UFC Fight Night: Nashville, April 22.
Thales Leites (26-7) vs. Sam Alvey (30-8); UFC Fight Night: Nashville, April 22.
Dustin Ortiz (16-6) vs. Brandon Moreno (13-3); UFC Fight Night: Nashville, April 22.
Jose Aldo (26-2) vs. Max Holloway (17-3); UFC 212, June 3.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2008: Carlos Condit submitted Carlos Prater at WEC 32 to retain the WEC welterweight championship belt. Also that evening, Jamie Varner knocked out Rob McCullough to win the lightweight title and Miguel Torres submitted Chase Beebe to take the bantamweight strap.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re a professional MMA fighter, and you aren’t cheating your ass off in the cage, you are straight up doing it wrong. There will never be repercussions apparently so there is absolutely no reason not to leverage every edge you can get. Maybe if everyone starts low-blowing/eye-gouging/punching after the bell/dumping water on themselves then the referees will be forced to adapt and take points away.
Just sucks for Holly. She at minimum should have earned a draw and now she’s on a three-fight losing streak.
And we’re on to the next one. Hope y’all enjoyed the weekend. Stay after it and see everyone tomorrow.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.
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