HAVING SPENT YEARS trading blows with Conor McGregor in the gym, Artem Lobov believes he has nothing to fear from UFC Fight Night 108 opponent Cub Swanson.
Lobov is a 7/2 underdog for Saturday night’s main event in Nashville against the American veteran, who’s ranked fourth in the featherweight division. Swanson holds a 9-3 record under the UFC banner, in contrast to Lobov’s 2-2.
Nevertheless, the Dublin-based fighter isn’t daunted by the prospect of facing a man who has already proven his calibre on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts. As a training partner of UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor at Straight Blast Gym, Lobov is adamant that he faces tougher tests on a daily basis.
“Training with Conor of course has prepared me for any fight that I will ever face or ever have faced,” says Lobov, who was born in Russia but has lived in Ireland for nearly 15 years.
“I’ve never comes across a fighter that would be able to put on the type of pressure that Conor was able to put on me. His movement is so unpredictable, his shots are so fast, so powerful, and I’m well used to dealing with that. Nothing surprises me in there anymore. I’m ready for anything and anyone.”
In spite of the odds, Lobov is confident of causing an upset against Cub Swanson on Saturday night, which he believes will show that he can compete with the best fighters in the 145lbs division in the UFC.
“He is in for a huge surprise,” Lobov said. “He can’t hang with me in the stand-up. Cub is the number four guy. He is my hardest challenge to date. But without risk there’s no reward.
“I’m willing to risk it all, every damn time. Beating Cub Swanson would truly show the world that I belong at the top in the UFC.”
