Michael Johnson defeated Artem Lobov in the co-headliner of last night’s UFC Fight Night 138 event in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
“The Menace” was able to utilize his lightning-quick jab to outpoint “The Russian Hammer” for the better part of fifteen minutes.
Despite pressing forward for the duration of last night’s co-main event contest, Artem Lobov would inevitably come up short on the judges scorecards who awarded Johnson with a unanimous decision victory.
Johnson actually missed weight by one pound for last night’s fight with Lobov, this after he took the bout on just two weeks notice.
Because Johnson had missed the featherweight limit of 146lbs by one pound, he was thus fined twenty percent of his fight purse by the commission. A sum of money which would later find the pockets of his UFC Moncton opponent Artem Lobov.
Following the news that “The Menace” had narrowly missed weight for their fight at UFC Moncton, Artem Lobov proceeded to accept a catchweight bout with Johnson, this while promising to return the fine which Michael was served by the commission for missing weight.
I’m told @RusHammerMMA went up to Johnson afterwards and said he will make sure MJ gets the full 20% back bc he is appreciative of the fact that MJ took the fight on short notice. The rules are Lobov has to take the money but he gave Johnson his word he’ll get it back to him.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 26, 2018
“I’m told @RusHammerMMA went up to Johnson afterwards and said he will make sure MJ gets the full 20% back bc he is appreciative of the fact that MJ took the fight on short notice. The rules are Lobov has to take the money but he gave Johnson his word he’ll get it back to him.” – Ariel Helwani
Helwani asked Artem Lobov about his decision to give back Johnson’s fine. “I told the UFC to save me the trouble of transferring the cash and just pay him in full,” he said. I’m happy to sign any waivers. I show respect where it’s due,” he added. “Always.”
Now after defeating Artem Lobov at last night’s UFC Moncton event, Michael Johnson is left to wonder if “The Russian Hammer” will be a man of his word and return the fine as promised.
“Apparently the commission has to take it out and give it to him,” Johnson told MMAjunkie post-fight. “We’ll see if he’s a man of his word like he said, and he’ll give it back. My management team’s going to get with his management team, and we’ll see what happens.”
Following his win over Artem Lobov, Michael Johnson announced in his post-fight interview that he would like to return at December’s UFC event in Australia.
Do you think Artem Lobov will return Michael Johnson’s UFC Moncton fine as promised? Sound off PENN Nation!