SBG’s Artem Lobov kept the crowd inside the SSE Arena entertained with his outstanding performance in the main card opener.
Lobov picked up where he left off in his last fight against Chris Avila at UFC 202 with another completely dominant striking battle against up and coming Japanese fighter Teruto Ishihara.
Ishihara was confident entering into this bout, having yet to taste defeat inside the UFC’s Octagon. However, Lobov sapped his confidence by controlling the range with his super-aggressive style leaving his opponent looking very uncomfortable on the feet.
As Lobov pressed forward and backed Ishihara into the fence looking to find home with that forceful right haymaker, he artfully dodged most of his opponent’s counters, particularly that trusty left hand that has proved to be his go-to weapon in the past.
Big finish to round 2 from @RusHammerMMA! Approval at ringside from @TheNotoriousMMA! #UFCBelfast https://t.co/OrnugU7BGo
— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 19, 2016
Ishihara was never in the fight in the first two rounds, but it looked liked the tide may have been beginning to turn in the final frame when he dropped the SBG man with a vicious left hand.
Lobov went crashing down to the canvas and Ishihara followed him down to try to land some ground and pound. However, he found himself caught inside Lobov’s guard where Lobov tied him up and wore him down until they got the fight back standing again.
.@RusHammerMMA rocked by a left from Ishihara! He seems to have recovered now! #UFCBelfast https://t.co/LtkuL5JWnj
— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 19, 2016
Lobov recovered well, while it became clear that Ishihara’s gas tank had become depleted. The Russian Hammer finished with a huge takedown against the fence and almost locked in an arm-triangle choke before opting to take his back instead before peppering him with punches on the ground.
Huge finish from Artem Lobov! @RusHammerMMA with the UD win! He enjoyed that! #UFCBelfast https://t.co/XZ4TKmibjy
— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 19, 2016
Lobov was awarded the unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), but the result was never in doubt. His teammate, UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor, jumped into the Octagon before the official announcement was made to congratulate the victor.
The result means Lobov now has back-to-back wins under his belt for the first time since 2013.
The double champ @TheNotoriousMMA and the winner @RusHammerMMA!! #UFCBelfast pic.twitter.com/uKHdhuQ4Ho
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 19, 2016
