It seems nearly impossible to bring MMA into conversation without pulling UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor into the story. As the former featherweight champion, as well as current lightweight champion, who is currently pursuing an epic cross-promotional bout with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, “Notorious” is becoming almost second nature to MMA culture.
For featherweight Artem Lobov, the name is nearly synonymous for his career, or so Lobov may believe.
In an interview with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour podcast, Lobov explained how McGregor has helped shape his UFC career.
“Me and Conor are very, very good friends. He certainly has helped me get into the UFC. It is what it is. It makes no difference for me. It’s the biggest sporting achievement, being Conor McGregor’s sparring partner. I said this before, it’s not an easy sport to be in. Many have tried to be in the sport and failed. I’m not in the sport because I’m good looking or whatever. I’m in the sport because I’m the toughest (expletive) around.”
Whatever people will say about Lobov’s connections with “Notorious,” the featherweight will soon be proving his metal inside the octagon once again.
Artem Lobov is set to fight Cub Swanson at UFC Fight Nigth 108 in April.
