SBG Featherweight Artem Lobov will give Michael Johnson his purse back after the American missed weight at the UFC Fight Night 138 weigh-ins in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on Friday.
Johnson took the fight on less than two weeks notice after Lobov’s scheduled opponent Zubaira Tukhugov was removed from the fight for his involvement in the post-main event melee at UFC 229 between the Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor teams.
Johnson weighed in one pound over the 146 pound weight limit on Friday and therefore must forfeit 20% of his purse to Lobov for failing to make the required weight.
However, according to a report from ESPN MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, Lobov will try and return the 20% fine to Johnson after being impressed by his willingness to take the fight on such short notice.
Michael Johnson, who accepted tomorrow’s fight against Artem Lobov on two weeks’ notice, missed weight this AM by one pound. Lobov’s head coach @John_Kavanagh confirms Lobov has accepted the fight. First reported by @MikeBohnMMA. 20% of Johnson’s purse goes to Lobov. However …
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 26, 2018
I’m told @RusHammerMMA went up to Johnson afterwards and said he will make sure MJ gets the full 20% back bc he is appreciative of the fact that MJ took the fight on short notice. The rules are Lobov has to take the money but he gave Johnson his word he’ll get it back to him.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 26, 2018
I asked Artem Lobov about his decision to give back Johnson’s fine. “I told the UFC to save me the trouble of transferring the cash and just pay him in full,” he said. I’m happy to sign any waivers.
“I show respect where it’s due,” he added. “Always.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 26, 2018
Lobov said that he was willing to take the fight with Johnson due to extended inactivity but added that he really wants to fight Zubaira Tukhugov and says he will not rest until he meets him inside the Octagon.
“I’m only doing this (against Johnson) because I was already ready to go and I haven’t fought in a year,” the Russian told ESPN. “For many reasons, I have to take this fight. But make no mistake, I want Zubaira.
“We need this win, but I don’t feel the pressure. To me, this is one step closer to getting Zubaira back. There is nothing else on my mind. That’s the only thing I can even think of. I’m not going to rest, I’m not going to sleep, until I get him back.”
