Teammate Drops Fight to Help Conor Prepare for Mayweather

SBG Ireland member and teammate to UFC lightweight champion Conor “Notorious” McGregor, Artem Lobov has declined a recent fight offer.

Artem Lobov has received an offer to face off against Andre Filiat UFC 214 on July 29. However, the mixed martial artist says he is busy helping Conor McGregor prepare for his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Artem Lobov stated “I was offered a fight with Andre Fili. He was calling me out on Twitter. I would’ve taken the fight, but it’s just too hard for me to commit to something on July 29. I’m needed in this camp. It would’ve been too much of a risk for me.”

The fighter then continued, “Let’s be honest: I don’t give a (expletive) about Andre Fili. I could fight that guy any day of the week. Once this fight is out of the way, and Conor knocks out Mayweather and has the world at his feet, we can see what’s going to happen then.

“Conor got into the UFC. We all helped him to get there, and then he pulled everybody up there with him. I owe it to him to help him in any way I can.”