Despite their ongoing multi-million-dollar whiskey war, Artem Lobov delivered a surprising message for Conor McGregor on Tuesday.
Lobov used to be as important to McGregor's camp as head coach John Kavanagh. These two are not just companions who bleed each other in a direct-burning gym in Dublin. They are brothers.
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“We always support each other,” Lobov told Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday. “I showed him unparalleled loyalty. Who is more loyal to him than I do? I did everything for him.”
Bonds broke through a handshake deal Lobov said McGregor broke that — McGregor cut McGregor's 12 profit when the whiskey brand was sold.
Lobov said he will be quarrel with McGregor for years on down payments, who he claimed he co-founded the product. He studied the market and convinced McGregor to ignore the call for high prices, which would have priced workers, instead finding a gap in an affordable bottle. He claimed he also fought “options” trading, which had profits far below market value — a move he said would cost McGregor millions of dollars.
According to Lobov, McGregor shook hands and guaranteed him 5% “regardless.” So when Proxima Spirits bought the brand for $600 million, McGregor reportedly received $130 million. Lobov believes he deserves a $6.5 million stake.
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This arrangement was previously valid. Lobov said his TV deal for McGregor far exceeded expectations, and McGregor rewarded him with a 233% bonus. “Whenever we go to camp, I'm the only one who has never received a penny,” Lobov said. “I'll say, 'Connor, I don't take this. You're my brother.'”
But with the proper number 12, he said the betrayal was deeper. “I put the biggest meat on Connor's table and he wouldn't cut me into small pieces so my family can eat it,” Lobov said.
The dispute is now in the High Court in Ireland. Lobov is suing the $6.5 million and has held a trial in December. “He knew I was on the right, and in “I'm over,” Lobov said, “McGreg denied that claim.
Lobov wants more than money. He wants to admit it. “They led me aside, without any recognition, nothing,” he said. “I want to show who is a true loyal friend and who is a snake.”
The dispute surfaced during Lobov's appearance at UnCrowned on Tuesday, and he also announced the long-awaited fight back to fight, his first professional MMA round since 2018.
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“It's been seven years of production,” he wrote on social media, poster that returned with Zubaira Tukhugov. “It's time to take revenge.”
He said Loboff rejected the offer to fight. He is not interested unless his wallet is large. But PFL executive Mike Kogan prepared that opponent for him, so they agreed to a quick, a struggle deal. Lobov will fight Tukhogov in Dubai during a PFL event on October 3.
Their history goes back to 2018, when former UFC lightweight champion and fierce McGregor rival Khabib Nurmagomedov made a comment in the face to face with Lobov. “If someone calls your friend chicken in Russia, that's even worse…you'll respond,” Lobov said.
When Nurmagomedov faced Lobov for the second time, it upgraded – this time with “a group of people”. Tukhogov was there, supporting Nurmagomedov, screaming, “Let Let On-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One-One.” Lobov said. The UFC booked a game almost between Lobov and Tukhogov, but canceled those plans after the Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor dispute exploded into the most turbulent item in UFC history.
Artem Lobov and Conor McGregor were close friends during the UFC rise.
(Brandon Magnus by Getty Images)
Lobov said Tukhogov “never seen that brave” in the cage, accusing him of relying on wrestling and “knocking” under pressure. Outside the cage, though, Lobov pointed to his opponent's strong ties in Russia – allegedly linked to controversial Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, which made street fight a foolish claim accepted. “Who wants that? Let's be like real men, one-on-one… Let's get into the cage like professional fighters,” Lobov said.
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Seven years later, they will.
Meanwhile, Lobov's old friend McGregor has his own battle in front of him. He laughed at the political campaign in Ireland – something Loboff thinks should be postponed. “He needs to stop fucking [around]go back to the gym and get healthy,” Lobov said. The direction forward is to work hard. Just work hard. It's fun, it's going to get your body fighting again. He needs his magic.”
It's hard to imagine McGregor taking Lobov's advice because he's recently called Lobov the “Rat”.
“That's another story,” Lobov said. “I don't even know him.”
Still, Lobov believes that if McGregor redefined himself, he would soon book the rematch he longed for since 2018. If McGregor returns to UFC and wins the knockout round, then Lobov is convinced that it will also attract Nurmagomedov to return to the sport. “Habbib will come back to participate in this battle,” Lobof said. “The whole world is talking about it [their rematch]. That would be a comeback for the age group. ”
Although Lobov resigned from McGregor's changes, he still seems to wish he could change.
“I want to see the old cones,” Loboff said. “So, everything between us will be sweet.”