AFTER PROGRESSING TO the final stage of the competition, Artem Lobov will make his debut in the UFC tomorrow night at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale.
Here’s what you should know about the 29-year-old Straight Blast Gym fighter, who’ll be fighting for a UFC contract at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
He lives in Dublin now but was born 4,000km away…
Lobov grew up in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia’s fifth largest city. His family moved to Ireland 13 years ago, having also spent a few years in Argentina. He now holds an Irish passport and says he proudly represents both Russia and Ireland. Lobov has been competing under the Irish tricolour throughout The Ultimate Fighter.
He had a near-death experience as a child…
“When I was born, the doctors forgot to give me a TB [tuberculosis] shot, for whatever reason. One day I was by myself outside by where we lived, and I got my head stuck between these railings. I couldn’t get out and I was choking. I ended up unconscious and I was basically dying right there,” Lobov says.
“Luckily, a guy found me there and somehow managed to pull me out and saved my life. But it turned out that he had just been released from prison and had TB, which he passed on to me. I ended up in hospital for a year and got through it, although I was under supervision for about six years after that before being cleared.”
He used to be a ballroom dancer…
Lobov’s mother wouldn’t allow him to take up boxing. Instead, she sent him to ballroom dancing classes for five years: “Growing up in the Soviet Union, ballroom dancing wasn’t the coolest thing to do,” Lobov recalls. “But that probably made me tougher, because it wasn’t an easy task to do ballroom dancing and not get bullied. And I never got bullied in my life, even though I changed to five secondary schools in three different countries.
“There are definitely benefits for MMA too in terms of the footwork. Men in general are shy with their movement. You’ll see it in a nightclub; girls will be on the dancefloor giving it loads and the lads will be standing there watching them, holding their pints. Men aren’t great movers so the ballroom dancing freed me in terms of the movement, which is really what fighting is about; footwork and controlling distance.”
He didn’t take up martial arts until he was 21…
While studying for a BA in Business Studies and Spanish at Dublin City University, he stumbled upon an ad on the campus for self-defence classes. That was his introduction to martial arts and from there he eventually made his way to the renowned Straight Blast Gym.
He quit his job in a bank to pursue MMA full-time…
Despite having a masters degree in finance, Lobov left his job with Bank of America last year in order to focus entirely on carving out a career with the UFC, MMA’s leading organisation. So far, so good.
He likes to fight as often as possible…
Enjoying fighting is a minimum requirement in Lobov’s field, but few fighters stay as active as him. He competed six times in his first year as a professional and has become known for his willingness to accept fights against high-calibre opponents with minimal notice. Lobov had 23 professional bouts in just over four years before opting to enter the running for the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter.
He doesn’t care much for weight classes…
On that theme, Lobov has competed at featherweight (145lbs), lightweight (155lbs) and welterweight (170lbs) in a bid to stay active: “If you truly believe that all the training you do can go out the window just because a guy is a few pounds heavier than you, that’s just crazy,” says Lobov.
He’s Conor McGregor’s main sparring partner…
Lobov has begun to carve out his own path recently thanks to the exposure offered by The Ultimate Fighter, but he has become more recognisable in recent years due to his regular appearances in Conor McGregor’s corner and as the man exchanging blows with the UFC interim featherweight champion in UFC promo videos, such as the Embedded series.
He once forced McGregor to withdraw from a fight after injuring him in training…
“He [McGregor] was getting ready to defend his title against Jim Alers on Cage Warriors and it was a huge fight. He was trying to make it into the UFC. It was back in the days when we didn’t really care that much about safety. We didn’t even wear headgear. We just used to go at it,” Lobov explains.
“We literally would come in on a Sunday — just the two of us with no-one in the gym — lock the doors and we’d just go at it. No headgear, no nothing and small gloves. Survival, basically. In one of those sparring sessions, I hit him and I broke his orbital [bone] and he ended up out of the fight.”
He’s been stopped just once in his last 22 fights…
Lobov’s professional record is mixed but he has proven himself to be extremely difficult to beat inside the distance. Since losing to current UFC featherweight Mike Wilkinson via second-round TKO in September 2011, only Cage Warriors champion Alex Enlund has managed to put Lobov away. Including his four appearances on The Ultimate Fighter, that’s a run of 22 fights.
He has experienced MMA’s version of a last-second winner…
Lobov faced Bellator veteran Andrew Fisher at Cage Warriors 70 last year in one of the biggest fights of his career. With the contest potentially en route to a win for Fisher via the judges’ scorecards, Lobov intervened and secured the finish at the 4:59 mark of the third and final round.
He had a slice of good fortune en route to his UFC debut…
Lobov lost to Mehdi Baghdad in his fight to make it into the TUF house, but he was given a second bite at the cherry when UFC president Dana White decided that one fighter from each team would be given a wildcard route back into the competition. Lobov capitalised, picking up three consecutive wins to reach tomorrow’s final.
He has an unusual style of fighting with his hands down…
Lobov: “Having your hands up doesn’t stop you from getting knocked out and there are a lot of advantages to having your hands down. It’s also more exciting because it looks very impressive from the fans’ perspective, which is a big factor in the entertainment business.
“My shots come from very awkward angles and people don’t see them, and it’s also good to stop the takedown. My hands are already down so it’s easier to get the underhooks. There are a lot of benefits to this style.”
Mine would be:
Gary Breen (Gk)
Breen Breen G. Breen (Capt) Breen
Breen Breen
Breen Breen Breen
G. Breen
I bet you could name all the subs too. Fair play.
We can only dream
John Aldridge and Duff seem to be getting forgotten a lot here
Don’t forget Paul McShane
Yep Paul McShane is the only one to grace the bench for a team of Gary Breen’s!
That’s impressive Diego, I’d just make a few changes to that ‘dream of a team’..
Mine would be :
G.Doherty (GK)
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty
G.Doherty (Capt)
Can’t believe that nobody has picked Tony Dunne at full back. European Cup winner with Man U.
Sean Farrell choosing John O’Shea over Dunne, McCarthy, Lawrenson, Moran and O’Leary? You are surely having a laugh?
Some utd fans here think that winnnng more makes you the better player..
@james Dolan have a day off you cabbage !
I like cabbage.
xXx
No Glenn Whelan,Stephen Ward or Andy Keogh in there either?shocking stuff lads.
Paul McShane?
He deserves a team of his own.They could play the team of Garry Breens.
Alan Kernaghan
Aldridge, hardly got a mention, Don Givens, Stapleton , and I can not believe no one had Steve Highway , are ye all only just left school.
Steve Highway, bang on, loved to watch him go. Wonder what he’s doing now. Probably still running.
Gerry Daly, super player.
Steve Heighway great player… Duff was better though.. no one has Bernie Slevin?
Given
Irwin, McGrath, O leary, Finnan
Keane, Giles
Whelan, Brady, Duff
Stapleton,
Tony Galvan !!!
Heighway great player and never stopped running however I would have to ask you how many goals he scored for club and country.
I think until recently he had a role coaching the youth team at Anfield. He was one of the few top players in his day who held a university degree.
If Roy Keane won Ireland the World Cup,Liam Brady still wouldn’t have a good thing to say about him!
If my granny had wheels instead of legs she,d be a bike.
Must resist attempt at humour here…..
If you ask a thousand people you’ll get a thousand different teams.
Chances are those thousand people will still all have McGrath, Brady, Giles and Roy Keane. They were not just good Irish players. They would have made any international or club side during their respective primes
Yes but Mark Lawrenson was so good he and PMCG have to be nailed down on every team. It goes with out saying all based on their peak playing years.
Given,
S Coleman , P Mcgrath, M Lawrenson, Steven Staunton,
Roy Keane, J Giles L Brady Ronnie Whelan
R Keane Damian Duff
You’d have Coleman in ahead of Irwin and Finnan? – Staunton was good but again not better than those two..
Don’t forget Stephen Carr who was a genuinely world class full back when fit and better than both Finnan and Staunton imo. I’d shift Irwin to the left where he was equally as good.
John o’shea…get real !..
Nutmeg Figo.
No room for Kevin Moran?
Imagine meeting this ireland team on a night out on the pour , ………d.kiely . Babb. McGrath . McCarthy. Kelly. Mc ateer . Roy keane, stapleton , ronnie whelan , aldridge. Casarino , ……… Some session !!!!
Given
Finnan McGrath Dunne Irwin
Houghton Keane Brady duff
Keane Quinn
Although it would be hard to overlook the great Packie Bonner.
What about Terry Phelan???
Once the most expensive defender in English football and always picked at left full for us ahead of Stan when he was available.
Phelan, Finnan, Irwin, Harte were all better left fulls and played there ahead of Staunton in Irish teams during his career.
It’s only Jack’s and Mick’s blind loyalty to Stan and accommodating him on the left wing and centre half (following injury crisis) that he won so many caps. Not to mention all the American tours. No where near Ireland’s best left full back.
No sign of Packie Bonner at all
Christy brown ?
Can’t believe Dave Langan and Tony Galvin didn’t get a honourable mention,, two great footballers who gave it their all when playing for Ireland
Johhny Giles & Roy Keane would frightened the living daylights out of any of the current pansies playing the game today
Has the Bill Will show lost “their” Wi-Fi signal?
I remember creating a Classic Ireland team on Pro Evo in college, it was a 32 county team as Pat Jennings and Best were already in the game.
Packie Bonner, Pat Jennings
Denis Irwin, Tony Dunne, Mark Lawrenson, Paul McGrath, Kevin Moran, Jackie Carey, Noel Cantwell, Steve Staunton,
Steve Highway, Liam Brady, John Giles, Roy Keane, Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, Andy Townsend, Martin O’Neill, Tommy Eglington.
Niall Quinn, Norman Whiteside, George Beat, Frank Stapleton.
Think I’m missing a midfielder but I’ve hazy memories of 2005 at the best of times. That squad was alway a match for Classic Netherlands!
I remember playing that too, classic Argentina were my favourite, Maradona was a beast in it. Used to hate the way the names were all mixed up though and you had to fix them yourself as pro didn’t have the rights to use real names and kits etc. Great games tho.
Not a mention of Phil babb either. Unbelievable.
What about Bernie Slaven ? It’s almost like he’s been forgotten !
I cant believe you guys left out paul green!
Did will slattery really pick Ronnie Whelan over Roy Keane?? Lol
Jon Macken leading the line with Caleb Folan. Unplayable
It’s amazing for such a small country how many great players were produced over the years in this country (particularly the ones actually born here) even though it’s not the main sport.
I bet an all time Irish vi would nearly be as strong as our English counterparts which I regard as a great achievement given England’s vast population and it’s their no 1 sport
No Roy Keane in will slattery team. That is a joke.
What about Kevin Moran and Mick McCarthy ? Just wondering
What, no David Connolly??!!
Eh, where’s Peter clohessy lads??
Duff/Dunne and O’Shea!!!! Your having a laugh.
Shay Given
Steve Finnan
Paul McGrath
Kevin Moran
Denis Irwin
Liam Brady
Roy Keane
Ronnie Whelan
Damien Duff
John Aldridge
Robbie Keane
Bonner
Irwin Moran Mc Grath Staunton
Sheddy Keane Brady Houghton
Stapleton, Robbie Keane
Gary waddock ?
Given, Irwin, McGrath, Lawrenson, Whelan, Brady, Giles, Roy Keane, Duff, Robbie Keane, Stapleton
You must be young, where’s Dennis Erwin, Frank. Stapelton , Dave O’Leary, Mark Laurance ?
You must be young yourself. Obviously you never saw Charlie Hurley, the king of Roker Park and the best centre half in England in his day.
No mention of Don Givens and very little mention of Frank Stapleton. Two strikers that, imo, were far superior to Robbie or Niall. On the wings, Tony Gavin and Michael Robinson would deserve a look in. Roy Keane and Brady in middle. McGrath and Moran were probably the best defensive partnership we ever had.
Glen Crowe? Lee Carsley? Eddie McGoldrick? Come on….have to be in there….
I noted your comment that you don’t like to judge players you have not seen play. Yet you include Johnny Carey whist not even mentioning Charlie Hurley who played twenty years after Carey. Without doubt Carey was a great defender but in his day Charlie Hurley of Sunderland was the greatest centre half in English football and this was almost universally accepted. He is still revered in Sunderland.
You can’t have Giles and Brady in the same team they would cancel each other out dissapointed and surprised by the omission of Andy Townshend as for Brady removing Keane that’s personal reasons not footballing reasons love or hate him no Irish 11 is complete without Keane.
Alan Kelly , Paul McShane, Alan Bennett, Paul Butler , Terry Phelan , Alan O’Brien , Jon Douglas , Joe Gamble , Caleb Folan , Conor Sammon , Joey Lapira
5 Mick McCarthys and 5 Roy Keanes fighting it out over a 3 day battle royale, moderated by Paul Green.
Given
Irwin Mcgrath Moran Staunton
Houghton Giles Keane Duff
Brady
Stapleton
Given.
Irwin. McGrath. Staunton.
Roy Keane
Giles. Whelan.
Heighway. Brady. Houghton.
Robbie Keane.
McDonagh G.Kelly, McGrath,Moran,Staunton Brady,R Keane Townsend, Sheedy, Aldridge,Quinn
I liked tony galvin a fine player
No Alan Kelly Snr in goal or Eamonn Rodgers? Great players of the 1970s?
Jim Beglin?
Terry Mancini
Conar sammon anyone !!
I honestly don’t think I’ve seen Conor mispelt as Conar before. Congrats!
No Eamo ?
Would be first name on my team !
Are the people voting for Staunton old enough to remember his career? He wasn’t very good.
Presuming that Irwin is one of the fullbacks that allows any number of far better players than Stan available (Carr, Coleman and Finnan were much better).
Stan was a great servant and in great teams but not a great player
Bonner, Irwin, O’Leary, McGrath, Lawernson Keane , Brady, Giles, Heighway, Aldridge, Stapleton
Paul Butler surely worth a mention!
My team – from the fifties to date:-
Alan Kelly Snr
Irvin McGrath Hurley Dunne
Houghton Giles Keane Brady
Stapleton Keane
Dunne marginally ahead of Cantwell. Robbie Keane (in spite of record number of goals)
Marginally ahead of Aldridge and Quinn.
Given
McGrath Dunne Cunningham
Coleman Roy Keane(C) Irwin
Duff houghton Kilbane
Robbie Keane
Given
Irwin Dunne McGrath Staunton
Keane Giles
Houghton Brady Duff
Keane