Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns this Saturday for their biggest card to date. In the card’s main event, Artem Lobov welcomes Paulie Malignaggi into BKFC.
Ahead of this fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. And, the majority believe the boxer will get it done, but some think Lobov will be too much for Malignaggi.
Here’s what they had to say.
BJPENN.com Fighter Picks: Artem Lobov vs. Paulie Malignaggi
Cody Stamann, UFC bantamweight: I think everyone loses. But I think Paulie Malignaggi wins the fight.
Allen Crowder, UFC heavyweight: They really hate each other. I think Paulie wins as he is actually a boxer has more talent than Lobov.
Eryk Anders, UFC light heavyweight: Man, I don’t see how Paulie can win this fight. Yeah, he is a good boxer, but he doesn’t have that dog in him. Artem isn’t the best but he can take punches and will keep moving forward. Artem is going to march him down, put him in a corner and punish him.
Chris Leben, BKFC fighter: You box a brawler and you brawl a boxer. Artem needs to go forward and grab the back of his head and land the uppercuts. He can’t stand on the outside to Paulie cause he will lose there. Artem can’t outbox Paulie. That being said, his hands are suspect and doesn’t hit hard. I think Lobov can get Paulie inside on the ropes and punish him there and win the fight. So, I got Artem Lobov winning this fight.
Andre Ewell, UFC bantamweight: I think Lobov can get it done. He can close the distance and make it a brawl.
Renato Moicano, UFC featherweight: Paulie knows how to fight with his hands and control the range. But, it is a bare-knuckle fight and anything can happen. I really wanted to watch this fight but it is the same day as mine. That being said, I think Paulie can get it done.
Joe Riggs, BKFC fighter: I am a huge boxing fan. Paulie is one of the best technicians ever, but he has had a problem with his hands. I think he is 10 times as more skilled as a boxer than Lobov. If Paulie doesn’t break his hands, he will win the fight. Even if he does, he has the skill to not get touched and win no matter what. So Paulie.
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Fighters picking Artem Lobov: Eryk Anders, Chris Leben, Andre Ewell
Fighters picking Paulie Malignaggi: Cody Stamann, Allen Crowder, Renato Moicano, Joe Riggs
Who do you think will win the fight between Artem Lobov and Paulie Malignaggi? Let us know in the comment section.
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/20/2019.