Artem Lobov makes startling claim about Conor McGregor vs Khabib fight
Lobov claimed that McGregor barely trained and didn't take the bout as seriously as he should have, while also suggesting that if the Irishman fixed up his act, then Khabib may even be convinced to return for a rematch.
McGregor submitted to Khabib in the Octagon in a bitter defeat that led to fans speculating about a number of reasons the Dublin native fell short on the big occasion. McGregor submitted to Khabib in 2018. Pic: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Some fans tried to reason that McGregor wasn't equipped to deal with an MMA match due to his previous fight being in the boxing ring against Floyd Mayweather.
However, Lobov, who has since fallen out with McGregor, has made the startling claim that the 37-year-old only trained twice a week in the lead up to the fight.
He said: 'I know that fight bothers Conor because he didn't train at all for that fight.
'Twice a week he was training for Khabib. I tried to get him to Las Vegas and said 'We have to do this', and he told me to f*** off, he just didn't want to do it. View this post on Instagram
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'He was in the wrong mindset, the party mindset. Training twice a week and that's it.
'So when I saw the fight, I was like 'Oh my god, if only you trained four times a week, you probably would've beaten him'.
'But imagine him in a full camp and the Conor that fought Eddie Alvarez. Imagine that Conor fighting Khabib. That's what I want to see.' Lobov has since fallen out with McGregor. Pic: Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Khabib retired in 2020 after beating Justin Gaethje and retaining his title, preserving his undefeated legacy.
McGregor's last fight came in 2021 when he lost to Dustin Poirier after breaking his leg in the first round.
Lobov believes that if he could make a comeback next year and score a big statement KO win, it could well tempt Khabib back.
He continued: 'I would love to see him come back, because I feel that if he was at 100%, we would be able to bring Khabib back as well. McGregor hasn't fought since 2021. Pic: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
'He would just need one fight, knock the guy out, and then the whole world will be talking to Khabib and getting him to come back.'
McGregor, who recently lost his appeal against a High Court jury that he raped Nikita Hand, seems to be currently preoccupied with his presidential ambitions.
He launched a petition this week, calling it 'Let the people decide. A petition to Ensure that Conor McGregor is on the Ballot.'
The petition aims to change the nomination process ahead of the Irish presidential election, due to the fact that he needs to receive a nomination from at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, either TDs or Senators, or from four local authorities.
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