Artem Lobov and Zabit Magomedsharipov aren’t being matched up against each other… just yet.
It looks like everyone’s going to have to make the effort to learn how to spell Zabit Magomedsharipov because the featherweight’s hype train is cruising following his sensational UFC debut.
The 26-year-old introduced himself to the UFC in stellar fashion with a phenomenal submission victory over Mike Santiago at UFC Rotterdam. He improved his professional record to 13-1 with the finish and dazzled the crowd with his flashy striking style which included an attempted ‘Showtime kick’ that very nearly landed.
The Russian, who trains with the likes of Frankie Edgar, Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza and Marlon Moraes is now riding a nine-fight win-streak. He went to a ‘Combat Sports Boarding School’ as a youth and Mark Henry rates him so highly he’s actually learning Russian just to coach him.
Following that introduction to the wider MMA world, Magomedsharipov grabbed hold of the mic and sent a clear message, through the aid of a translator, to a certain SBG fighter.
“Now I want to fight Artem Lobov. Give me Artem Lobov.”
Not one to turn down a fight against anybody, Artem Lobov immediately accepted the offer. Although he’s already booked to fight Andre Fili in UFC Gdansk in October, he was willing to take on the prospect in November.
Magomedsharipov has got a fight in November on the UFC Shanghai card, unfortunately, it isn’t against the Russian Hammer. Instead, he will be taking on promotional newcomer Sheymon Moraes (9-1). He should be well-prepared for the debutant as his teammate Marlon Moraes submitted him in a WSOF title fight back in 2015.
