Former UFC Fighter Artem Lobov expanded a public olive branch to his old teammate Conor McGregor.
At the height of Conor McGregor's UFC Superstardom, it would hardly be printed not to see Artem Lobov at McGregor's silk in the gym, at press conferences and in his corner. The two old SBG Ireland teammates were almost inseparable during their combat sport career.
But the things between McGregor and Lobov took a dark turn in recent years, from a large lawsuit filed by Lobov against one of the companies of McGregor. The feud of the two hunters moved in public interest when McGregor Lobov threatened in various viral social media posts in 2024.
While Lobov and McGregor both prepare for MMA -FOceback fights, things remain Testy between the two parties.
Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Artem Lobov 'does not recognize Conor McGregor while he begs former teammate to fight to fight
Lobov will return to Khabib Nurmagomedov's old protege, Zubaira Tukhugov, on PFL Dubai later this year. It marks Lobov's first MMA fight since a loss for UFC star Michael Johnson in October 2018.
Lobov's old loyalty to McGregor seems to be a thing of the past, but Lobov still hopes that the two old teammates can repeat their friendship.
During a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani show, Lobov was asked where things are currently between themselves and McGregor.
“It is clear that things are not good between me and Conor,” Lobov explained.
“We always had each other's backs. I feel that I have shown him an unparalleled loyalty, I would challenge that he would now call someone of all his friends before he was more loyal to him than me.
“I did everything for him,” Lobov continued. “If we did Kampen, I was the only one who never accepted a cent from him.
Lobov then made an EYE opening claim on the planned UFC comeback from McGregor in the White House next year. He says that if McGregor is successful in his last comeback attempt, this Nurmagomedov would lure back to the Octagon for a rematch.
“Now Conor could not even get a press conference with a painful toe. That is not the same conor, this is not the man I know,” said Lobov.
'I want to see the old [Conor] Back and then I feel that everything would also be sweet between us, we can get the band together again.
“If he was 100 percent, we could also bring Khabib back. I think Khabib would come back before that fight like Conor was 100 percent, on his feet and real fights. He only needs one fight, a man hits out, and then the whole world would talk to Khabib to get him back.”
Conor McGregor Koos to beat Michael Chandler in Restricted UFC fight
If McGregor succeeds his comeback plans, he might be able to visit the opponent he would come across at UFC 303 last year before he withdrew due to injury. A UFC Hall of Famer believes that McGregor would break his losing skid in the process.
Michael Bisping believes that McGregor Michael Chandler would beat if they arrange their planned UFC 303 fight next year for the intended White House card. Since ending his waiting time on McGregor 0-2, Chandler has been in the Octagon with losses for Paddy Pimblett and Charles Oliveira.
McGregor's last UFC victory came against Donald Cerrone on UFC 246 through the first round knockout. He lost back-to-back battles on Dustin Poirier in 2021, even when he injured his leg at the end of the first round at UFC 264.