The return of “The Russian Hammer” will take place at UFC 202 on Aug. 20 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently announced that Artem Lobov will in fact make his return next month opposite 23-year-old prospect Chris Avila. Avila, (5-2), will be making his first appearance inside the glorified Octagon.
As for Lobov, who made a name for himself as a knockout artist on season 22 of The Ultimate Fighter, will be making his third UFC appearance as he tries to shake off a 2015 loss to grappling wizard Ryan Hall and a recent defeat to Alex White back at UFC Fight Night 82. Lobov, 29, is well-known for his power and should once again be looking for the knockout.
What makes things even more interesting is that Lobov trains alongside current UFC Featherweight king Conor McGregor at Straight Blast Gym in Ireland and Avila has risen to acclaim under the tutelage of Nick and Nate Diaz out in California as part of Cesar Gracie Fight Team.
McGregor and Diaz are currently scheduled to partake in a highly-anticipated rematch on the same night as their teammates in UFC 202’s main event.