Artem Lobov returns to MMA, signs one-fight deal with Arena Fight Championship

Artem Lobov is back.

“The Russian Hammer” is making a return to MMA after two years away. Lobov (13-15-1 MMA) has signed a one-fight deal with Arena Fight Championship and is set to compete against Ylies Djiroun in December in France.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Lobov’s return and booking to MMA Junkie on Saturday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

News of Lobov’s MMA return was first reported by The Mac Life.

Although Lobov has been absent from MMA, the 34-year-old fighter has competed in bare-knuckle boxing three times for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC). His most high-profile bare-knuckle boxing bout came against former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi in 2019.

Lobov’s most recent MMA bout was in October 2018, when he lost via decision to Michael Johnson. The loss was Lobov’s third in as many fights and he was subsequently released from the UFC. Lobov trains out of SBG Ireland with the likes of UFC star Conor McGregor, Gunnar Nelson, and others.