ARTEM LOBOV suffered his first bare-knuckle boxing defeat that left him with a horror eye injury following a bloody fifth-round knockout to fellow UFC-veteran Jason Knight.
The Russian, 32, who had close friend Conor McGregor watching on from ringside, had claimed a decision victory over Mississippi Mean on his debut in the sport back in April.
Artem Lobov lost his first bare-knuckle boxing fight as he was knocked out by Jason Knight
The Russian’s left eye was completely shut after the bout following a vicious strike
Lobov’s close friend Conor McGregor was in attendance and shared his admiration for both fighters
Despite earning a victory on that occasion, Lobov shared a gruesome image online after being less a bloodied mess.
And it seems in defeat McGregor’s SBG stable-mate has fared little better after a devastating left from Knight left the Russian Hammer with a deep cut.
Following a first loss, the Notorious took to Instagram to share a picture with his pal, alongside the caption: “Artem Lobov! What a warrior.
“What a journey this has been mate. What a journey this is! You blow me away bro, from the world tours to the ultimate fighter to this! You deserve the world and more my brother!
“Congrats on another amazing fight! What a story! Brothers for life mate. Congrats to Jason Knight. Amazing warrior. Great fight.”
“Congrats on another amazing fight! What a story! Brothers for life mate. Congrats to Jason Knight. Amazing warrior. Great fight
Conor McGregor on Artem Lobov
Lobov, who went just 2-5 in seven fights under the UFC banner, had the perfect start to life with Bare Knuckle FC after going 2-0.
Following his win over Knight in April, the adopted Irishman earned a unanimous points decision over former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi in a highly anticipated grudge match.
American Knight had made headlines ahead of his rematch with Lobov after a video emerged of him fighting two men in a bathroom.
The 27-year old’s friend Brok Weaver posted the bar fight video to his Instagram account, bue he insisted the altercation took place a year ago over a bad joke.
Before joining the bare-knuckle fighting organisation, Jason “The Kid” Knight was making moves in the MMA world but he hasn’t won a UFC bout since 2017.
Meanwhile, McGregor revealed at a press conference in Moscow this month his cage comeback will take place in Las Vegas on January 18.
The 31-year-old lightweight is rumoured to be facing UFC veteran Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in the 2020 return fight.
McGregor is without a win in three years now, but this week celebrated the anniversary of his historic win against Eddie Alvarez on November 12, 2016.
Bare-knuckle boxer Jason Knight scraps with two men in bathroom brawl
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
