Artem Lobov retires from combat sports following TKO defeat

Artem Lobov has called it a day on his fighting career last night, following a fifth round TKO defeat to Denys Berinchyk. ”The Russian Hammer” threw down with Berinchyk in the main event of bareknuckle promotion Mahatch FC.

During the bout Lobov showed immense heart and durability, weathering the storm from boxing Olympic silver medallist Berinchyk and surviving two counts. Spending most of the brawl against the sandbags (yes, sandbags!), the Ukrainian athlete poured it on Lobov before the fight was called off between the fourth and fifth round.

Speaking post-fight, Artem would give his last interview in a ring (sandbags) and announce his retirement. Declaring ”there is no fire in the heart”.

“I knew that Denys is a high-class fighter, So I wanted to fight him. Why go out [against who] knows who? If I go out, then I try against the strongest and aim for the stars. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll be close to the moon. Congratulations, Denys – it was a great honour for me to perform here. Most likely, I will [retire]. There is no fire in the heart that there used to be.”

Artem Lobov retires from combat sports with a 13-15 record in mixed martial arts and a 2-2 record in bareknuckle boxing. Lobov was riding a 3 fight losing streak in the UFC before being released and signing a three-fight deal with BKFC.

It was in BKFC Lobov would defeat Jason Knight via unanimous decision in his debut, before going on to embarrass former boxing welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi. He would lose a rematch to Knight before a period of inactivity which finally resulted in last nights bout in Mahatch FC.