Artem Lobov Defeats Ishihara In Thrilling Belfast Tilt

Starting off our double header weekend of UFC action is UFC Fight Night 99. Live in Belfast, Ireland, the card has seen some great action on the prelims, and so we move to the main card. Opening the main card four are a couple of rising featherweights, growing in popularity for their fighting style and personas. Conor McGregor‘s training partner Artem Lobov faces ‘Ladies Man’ Teruto Ishihara here in Belfast.

Round 1. Ishihara enters the octagon like a man possessed, Lobov strolls calmly with John Kavanagh in a complete contrast. Conor Mcgregor cheers Lobov on as Joe Martinez reads out their stats. The crowd is rowdy as they engage, Ishihara swings a crazy kick, misses, ‘Russian Hammer’ pushing forward, pressuring his man. Lobov working the body with jabs, low kicks by Ishihara, and to the body, and a nice left hook to the head by Lobov. Tentative first round here, and a peach of a right hand for Lobov lands, that got the attention of the ladies man, and again there. Lobov winning the first frame with his power, high kick from Ishihara, Lobov on his p’s & q’s. Teruto lands a straight left, Lobov savvy to it, huge body kicks exchanged, and Ishihara is wobbled by a right hand, now a left hook weakens the legs. Lobov works the body as the round ends, 10-9 Lobov.

Round 2. More kicks from Teruto, Lobov using feints, beautiful right hand to respond to Ishi’s kick here, Lobov landing big here, and a stepping left hook now from Artem. Low kicks are landing for Ishihara, but he isn’t chaining his strikes. Lead uppercuts land, and Lobov avoids the counters, and a left hand again. Ishihara is slowing, looks out of the pace here, but he lands a nice straight left hand. Spinning body kick, lead uppercut lands for Lobov, great work here. Teruto looking to reset, glances at the clock, HUGE straight left lands for Artem. Teruto lands a big counter, Lobov needs to remain calm here, the low kicks are chopping Teruto down tonight. Left hook, body kick, left hand combo lands for Lobov. Huge punches, Ishihara is HURT! Round ends, saved by the bell, 10-9 Lobov.

Round 3. Ishihara needs a finish to win, or at least a 10-8 for a draw. More of the same here from Lobov, more low kicks and big punches to the head. Teruto shoots, but it’s telegraphed and from a bad angle, Lobov muscles away. Lobov wobbles Ishi with a low kick, big left hand to the chin by Lobov, and a standing hammerfist, but Lobov gets dropped, WOW! Ishihara follows down, but Lobov pulls guard, amazing fight here. Lobov looking a little tired as the clock winds down, still winging punches. Big left hand lands, Ishi looks OK but he needs to finish now, big slam by Artem as the 10-second sound goes off. It’s over, 10-9 Lobov in my mind, even if they score it for Ishsi, overall I’m picking Lobov for the win.

Unanimous decision for Lobov, who is congratulated by Conor McGregor in the Octagon.