Late last year, on the main card of UFC 206, featherweight veteran Cub Swanson engaged in one of the greatest fights of all time with South Korean prospect Doo Ho Choi. For three, frenzied rounds, the two fighters thrilled the fans and Toronto and those watching on screens around the world, pelting each other with a dizzying array of strikes in an incredible display of violence.
Despite being hurt on several occasions, Swanson ultimately won this contest, walking away with a unanimous decision victory. Having secured this unforgettable win, Swanson reaffirmed his status as one of the best featherweights on earth, and as such, found himself in the crosshairs of many rising fighters. One such fighter was Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov, a Russian-born Irishman and training partner of MMA superstar Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland.
Shortly after Swanson’s dazzling defeat of Choi, Lobov began calling him out on social media, asking him for a fight. That social media trash talk has continued ever since, and has recently reached a pinnacle as Swanson has begun firing back, and even agreed to accept a fight with Lobov if he’s not offered anything better.
See the pair’s latest social media exchange below:
Watch your mouth when you mention my name @RusHammerMMA
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 2, 2017
.@CubSwanson or what??
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) February 2, 2017
Or just keep being an imitator and have no real identity @RusHammerMMA #Weak
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 2, 2017
.@CubSwanson Anyone, anytime, anyplace…This was me from my first day and till my last. Shut your mouth and lets settle this in the cage!
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) February 2, 2017
If the UFC can't find me an opponent that makes more sense then I'd love too 🙂 Just go sit by your phone and wait @RusHammerMMA
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 2, 2017
.@CubSwanson You mean wait for you to grow a pair??
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/CubSwanson/status/827282535285608448
With his defeat of Doo Ho Choi, Cub Swanson moved onto a two fight win-streak, having recently scored decisions over Hacran Dias and Tatsuya Kawajiri. Prior to this streak, he was submitted by Frankie Edgar and Max Holloway. These losses, finally, were proceeded by a fantastic, six-fight win-streak that lasted from 2012-2014. The 33-year-old’s overall record currently sits at 24-7.
Lobov, meanwhile, was last seen in the cage when he took out highly regarded Japanese prospect Teruto Ishihara. With this win, Lobov moved onto a two-fight streak, having also defeated Chris Avila in August. These wins were proceeded by back-to-back losses to Ryan Hall and Alex White. He’s now 2-2 in the UFC, and 13-12-1 overall.
Would you be interested in a Cub Swanson vs. Artem Lobov fight? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/3/2017.