Artem Lobov considering move to ‘boxing or K-1’: I have lots of offers that pay more than UFC

After five years of fighting in smaller circuits around Europe, Artem Lobov finally entered the UFC in 2016 via the 22^nd Season of the Ultimate Fighter as a member of Conor McGregor’s team. His performances, however, have been lackluster, so far.

“The Russian Hammer” is currently 2-4 in the UFC, and is on a two-fight skid that was capped off by a unanimous decision loss to Andre Fili in Poland last October. Lobov, however, seems to be unbothered by this, since he apparently has other opportunities lined up outside the UFC.

“Perhaps boxing or K-1. I don’t lack any offers,” Lobov said in a recent episode of BJ Penn Radio. “I have a lot of offers on the table. Some very good financial offers for more money than I’m actually currently getting in the UFC.”

“UFC, this is the premier organization. This is where the toughest matchups are and this is what I’m always after,” he continued. “Of course it’s a place where I want to be. But I was gonna prepare that, if I was let go I had a plan of action in place.

“And I wasn’t gonna dwell on it, I wasn’t gonna be crying or begging or anything like that. I was ready to move on and tackle the next problem and see what happens next.”

Lobov adds that he would be comfortable making the transition from mixed martial arts to pure striking since he believes he would be capable to do so.

“I know I’ve got the skill. I know there’s not a man in the world in any of the striking arts that would just run over me,” Lobov said. “So I’m comfortable in competing K-1 or boxing. And I still am, even though I’m in the UFC now.

“But perhaps at the end of my contract or whatever, or down the line in the future, I don’t wanna rule this one out. I certainly will explore all avenues. K-1, boxing, all of them.”

After the loss to Fili, Lobov currently holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 13-14-1 (1 NC, and six wins by stoppage).

He also spoke to Submission Radio about these offers, while also stating that McGregor won’t be in his corner in his next MMA bout at UFC 223. Listen to his interview below: