Lobov Return Canceled By COVID

Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Arena Fight Championship (AFC) was forced to postpone its Saturday combat sports event after an outbreak of coronavirus spread through the ranks. That means former UF…


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Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Arena Fight Championship (AFC) was forced to postpone its Saturday combat sports event after an outbreak of coronavirus spread through the ranks. That means former UFC featherweight attraction, Artem Lobov, will be forced to postpone his mixed martial arts (MMA) return.

And postpone paying those holiday bills.

“I got a phone call from the promoter saying that’s it, the show is canceled,” Lobov told MMA Junkie. “I was gutted, of course. The camp wasn’t easy as it is between injuries and this and the other and COVID, but I got it done, as I always do, and was looking forward to putting on a great show. And, of course, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the payday, but what can you do? Life goes on. I will rebuild, I will recover, and I will be back stronger than ever.”

No word yet on when AFC plans to reschedule.

Lobov, who said goodbye to UFC back in early 2019, went on to compete — sans gloves — for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), capturing a high-profile victory over retired boxer and SBG Ireland nemesis Paulie Malignaggi the following June.