Earlier today (Tues., April 2, 2019), Pauli Malignaggi and Artem Lobov got into a physical altercation during the Bare Knuckle FC media day in Manhattan, N.Y., as both men had to be separated after Pauli slapped “The Russian Hammer” during a heated face-to-face encounter.
See it all unfold here.
Shortly after the incident, Lobov spoke with MMA Fighting to break down what happened and issue a stern warning to the former pro boxing champion.
“He himself was saying, no, no, no,” Lobov said regarding Paulie saying both men should keep hands to themselves. “And then he just got a little cheap shot in. That’s the only way he can f*cking get hands on me, a cheap shot,’ said Artem.
“But whatever. F*ck it. Does he think that’s gonna upset me? I’m a f*cking fighter. I walk through head kicks, you think I’m gonna give a f*ck about that? Whatever, brush it off, move on. Let’s go, let’s see what you got when we actually square off in the ring.”
Interestingly enough, both men aren’t lined up to face one another next, as “The Russian Hammer” is set to take on former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contender, Jason Knight, at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 5 this Sat. night (April 6) live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.
Should he prove victorious, the plan is to have Artem and Paulie throw down on June 22.
“I need Paulie,” Lobov said. “I need him wrapped up in bubble wrap. I need him there on June 22, that’s when the provisional date has been set. That’s when I need him. That’s when we get to go at it. Then, we’ll see what happens.”
Despite Malignaggi having a pretty successful career in professional boxing, Lobov says he won’t have nothing to offer should they find themselves inside the ring together.
“Let’s look at the facts,” Lobov said. “Look at his fights. Who did he do damage to other than himself? He is a jabber. He just jabs, jabs, jabs, jabs. That’s all he ever f*cking does. He didn’t put guys away, ever. He has no knockout power, his hands are fragile, always f*cking broken. He’s old now and fat and lazy. The only reason he’s coming back is because he’s broke as f*ck. So what is there to fear? That’s it — nothing,” he added.
“He’s just one of those whiners that you’d just love to punch in the face,” Lobov said. “It’s gonna feel so good to feel my bare knuckles on his jaw.”
A jaw Lobov promised will be broken when it’s all said and done.
I am told you got a sly cheap shot in, I thought that was a mosquito!You know you get killed in a minute if the people werent there, You will be paying with your broken jaw!
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) April 2, 2019