Artem Lobov predicts who would win ‘prime’ Conor McGregor vs. Ilia Topuria featherweight GOAT fight

Artem Lobov predicts Conor McGregor vs. Ilia Topuria

Artem Lobov was by Conor McGregor’s side during his legendary run through the 145lb division.

‘The Russian Hammer’ believes that version of his old friend would’ve got the better of Ilia Topuria.

“I’ll be honest with you, I’m a massive fan of Ilia,” Lobov said during an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow. His style is incredible. You know, he has incredible striking. Very ballsy. He fights aggressively, comes in fearless, good wrestling. I put him up very, very high up there.

“I still do think, if I’m really honest, I might be a little bit biased, but I do think that in the prime, Conor still edges it.

“Watching Conor like in his prime was incredible. He was just untouchable. I watched him in training annihilate like f—ing five guys in a row, one by one. They’re all coming in fresh, including me, and him not even breathing heavy.

“Like, he was just a killer. So, for me, as I said, I’m probably biased, but for me, it’s hard to imagine anyone doing anything to that Conor. I feel that Conor could have beat everyone. For me, he could have beat even [Floyd] Mayweather and Khabib [Nurmagomedov].”

Lobov added about the featherweight GOAT debate: “Ilia is probably a very close second, to me, right behind Conor, right behind top-level Conor.

“Right now, Ilia is the best. There’s no question about it, he’s the number one guy now, and he’s so dominant and so exciting to watch. I love watching his fights.”

Artem Lobov’s comeback fight

Artem Lobov retired from combat sports after a bare-knuckle defeat to Denys Berinchyk in June 2021.

Over four years later, the 13-15-1 (1NC) MMA veteran is set to make a shock return on October 3.

He’ll square off against Khabib Nurmagomedov’s teammate, Zubaira Tukhogov, at PFL Champions Series 3.

Seven years after they were initially booked to go at it, Lobov and Tukhugov will settle their beef.

The pair’s bout at UFC 223 was scrapped after Conor McGregor attacked a bus containing Nurmagomedov in retaliation for his team’s mistreatment of Lobov during a fight week run-in.