Conor McGregor takes dig at former friend Artem Lobov amid looming civil war in Russia

McGregorConor McGregor is once again calling out former friend Artem Lobov, claiming the ex-UFC fighter is collecting benefits in Ireland while his home country is on the brink of a civil war. Lobov, who hails from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, was at one time a close personal friend of Conor McGregor’s, but all of that changed […]

McGregor

Conor McGregor is once again calling out former friend Artem Lobov, claiming the ex-UFC fighter is collecting benefits in Ireland while his home country is on the brink of a civil war.

Lobov, who hails from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, was at one time a close personal friend of Conor McGregor’s, but all of that changed last year when Lobov attempted to sue the Irishman. Lobov claimed that he was part of the brainchild that developed McGregor’s Proper No. 12 brand of whiskey and wanted his piece of the pie after it was sold to Proximo Spirits in 2021 for a staggering $600 million.

Of course, Conor McGregor did not take kindly to the lawsuit and unleashed a series of tweets calling Lobov a rat. That, in turn, resulted in ‘The Russian Hammer’ filing another suit, this time under the 2009 Defamation Act. In the end, both lawsuits were thrown out, and Lobov was left with nothing but the bill for McGregor’s legal expenses following his multiple failed injunctions. The Irishman is also free to take the occasional jab at his ex-friend when the mood strikes.

That’s exactly what happened when Conor McGregor called out Lobov on social media for taking up residence in Ireland and, according to McGregor, collecting benefits while his home country is engulfed in turmoil with a potential civil war looming.

Civil war in Russia and Artem lobov still in Ireland on benefits,” McGregor tweeted.

Appearing on season 22 of The Ultimate Fighter, Artem Lobov competed under the UFC banner between 2015 and 2018. During that run, he went 2-5, losing three-straight en route to being released by the promotion. He has since transitioned into the world of bare-knuckle boxing under the BKFC banner, but ‘The Russian Hammer’ has not fared much better in his newer setting. Overall, Lobov is 14-15-1 in his career, which has spanned more than a decade.

The Turmoil in Russia Continues

In February 2022, Russia invaded and occupied parts of Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, which had begun in 2014. Since then, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have lost their lives, while another eight million Ukrainians were left displaced by the invasion.

As reported by CNN, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of the private paramilitary group Wagner, led an insurrection that took over military facilities in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and Voronezh. The latest turn of events reportedly began when Prigozhin accused Russia’s military of attacking a Wagner camp and slaying a “huge amount” of Prigozhin’s men.

There are 25,000 of us, and we are going to find out why there is such chaos in the country,” Prigozhin said.

The embattled President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, promised swift and severe punishment for those involved in the armed rebellion.

“Those who carry deliberately on a path of treason, preparing an armed rebellion when you were preparing terrorist attacks, will be punished,” Putin said.

“Any internal turmoil is a deadly threat to our statehood for us as a nation; it is a blow to Russia for our people and our actions to protect our homeland. Such a threat will face a severe response.”

Oleg Prudky, Former Ukrainian Boxing Champion Tragically Dies Fighting in Devastating War Against Russia

Oleg PrudkyFormer Ukrainian boxing champion Oleg Prudky tragically passed away while defending his country against invading Russian troops.  Prudky, a respected member of the Ukrainian Atamans team was best know for competing in the World Series of Boxing’s super lightweight division. He also represented his country in various European boxing tournaments as a multi-time champion in […]

Oleg Prudky

Former Ukrainian boxing champion Oleg Prudky tragically passed away while defending his country against invading Russian troops. 

Prudky, a respected member of the Ukrainian Atamans team was best know for competing in the World Series of Boxing’s super lightweight division. He also represented his country in various European boxing tournaments as a multi-time champion in his home country of Ukraine. 

Prudky was working with Ukrainian special forces to defend his country from the attack that ultimately took his life. Three other men also lost their lives defending against Russian forces in the region of Cherasky. Prudky leaves behind his wife Mariana and their two daughters. Mariana took to Instagram to pay tribute to her fallen husband.

“it takes away the best !! I don’t believe, I don’t believe that you are no more… What I won’t hear: – Good morning darling! I’m fine! How are the girls? And the most important thing is that you will never tell me again – I LOVE you…. you are adored and asked every time, and when dad comes…. How can I tell them that they will never see you again…You were an example for your friends and brothers !! You are my ANGEL! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!”

The Cherasky Boxing Federation Pays Tribute to Oleg Prudky

The Cherasky Boxing Federation shared its condolences to the family and friends of Prudky in a post on Instagram.

“Another tragedy in our boxing family,” the statement said. “One of the best boxers of Cherkasy region, Oleg Prudky, died in the East… The boxing family of Cherkasy region expresses their sincere condolences to the family and friends. Rest in peace!”

President of the Federation, Serhiy Tyshchenko shared memories of Prudky and detailed the significant role he played in Ukrainian boxing. 

“I remember now how your coach told you how eager you were to do boxing and cycling for tens of kilometers to get to training,” Tyshchenko. “I remember how we supported you at the competitions of ‘Ukrainian Atamans’, then a whole bus from Cherkasy came to support you and you won! Everyone remembers your incredible fights. You are the first in the history of Cherkasy boxing to win gold in the 60kg weight category.

“Oleg was a two-time champion of Ukraine and a master of sports of international class,” he added. “Your victories and achievements are hard to count, you were a very persistent and hard-working athlete, you trained a lot. You have been a worthy example for future generations. It is very difficult to accept such news every day – an irreparable loss for our boxing family. I express my sincere condolences to the boxer’s family. Cursed war, takes away the best sons of Ukraine! Eternal memory, rest in peace friend! Heroes do not die!”

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, multiple Ukrainian boxers have put their careers on hold to defend their home. Former heavyweight champions, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have stayed to fight for their country alongside WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usy and Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov.

The team at LowKick MMA offers our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Oleg Prudky and condolences to the friends and family of the brave men that fought and lost their lives alongside him to defend their country.

Ihor Potieria Shames Khabib Nurmagomedov for Silence on Russia’s Ukraine Invasion

Ihor Potieria Khabib NurmagomedovAfter a brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the world has been holding the country accountable for its actions, and so has Ihor Potieria. The 25-year-old Ukrainian UFC fighter Potieria holds an impressive record of 20 victories and only two defeats. And now, he’s taken to social media to call out Russia’s biggest MMA star. […]

Ihor Potieria Khabib Nurmagomedov

After a brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the world has been holding the country accountable for its actions, and so has Ihor Potieria.

The 25-year-old Ukrainian UFC fighter Potieria holds an impressive record of 20 victories and only two defeats. And now, he’s taken to social media to call out Russia’s biggest MMA star.

Ihor Potieria Casts Shame on “The Eagle”

“You were loved by millions,” Potieria said on his Instagram story (transcribed by Bloody Elbow). “You’ve been an example in many martial arts gyms. You started your career in Ukraine. You speak about honor and faith. And now you are silent.”

This is a direct shot at Nurmagomedov, who could be potentially keeping quiet because of his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov. The ties to both those individuals stem from “The Eagle’s” victory over Conor Mcgregor. After the win, both men befriended Nurmagomedov. With Putin meeting him and praising his efforts, and Kadyrov hosting a banquet for the Dagestani legend.

Ihor Potieria didn’t target “The Eagle” solely though, he also called out Alexander Shlemenko, a Russian MMA fighter. Shlemenko has been supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine, prompting Potieria’s contempt.

“You are not a warrior, you are an accomplice of a killer.” Potieria wrote on Instagram.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been an ongoing affair. Worldwide, people have shown support for Ukraine and are even punishing Russia. Economic sanctions have been enforced, banks are refusing Russian service, and even FIFA got involved, kicking Russia out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

A recent development on the positive side is Ukraine and Russia have agreed to “humanitarian corridors” for civilians, allowing them certain exit points out of the warzone where a ceasefire will be observed on both sides for civilian safety.

What are your thoughts on Ihor Potieria’s callout of Khabib Nurmagomedov? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!