UFC Fight Night 108: Artem Lobov, 'Fighter To Watch' tonight in Nashville

The action will unfold later tonight (Sat., April 22, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 108 live on FOX Sports 1 from inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, as featherweight contender Cub Swanson welcomes hard-hitting prospect Artem Lobov to the division’s next level of competition. It will be Swanson’s first main event since losing to Frankie Edgar back in 2014, while it will mark Lobov’s first headlining act in his brief UFC career.

On paper, Swanson certainly has the advantage in most departments. He’s faster, quicker, more versatile, more experienced and simply a more well-rounded fighter. But just because Swanson’s abilities inside of the cage look to give him a significant lead out the gate doesn’t mean he’ll squash “Russian Hammer” on arrival. In fact, Lobov’s attempt at jumping the featherweight pecking order to take out the No. 5 ranked opponent is the reason why he’s the ‘Fighter to Watch” tonight in Nashville.

Despite his willingness to let most words slip out of his mouth in effort to create memorable sound bites, Lobov’s popularity will only grow if he’s able to win in stunning fashion inside of the Octagon. His journey atop a division that training partner Conor McGregor once ruled begins tonight against Swanson. Lobov has recorded a pedestrian 2-2 record since making his promotional debut in 2015, but this is by far his most high-profile bout to date. That will either bring out the best “Russian Hammer” we’ve ever seen or it will force Lobov to make an irreversible mistake that will hang him out to dry in the Music City.

While Lobov has more than likely received a favored nudge up the divisional ladder because of his relationship with McGregor, there’s no denying the featherweight’s primal instinct to throw caution to the wind and go for the kill. Lobov’s free-swinging ways and forward advancements often leave him open for damage, but it’s that same level of offensive persistence and aggression that fight fans enjoy seeing. If Lobov can display that mentality once again, overthrow a top-ranked opponent and extend his current win streak to three, 2017 might be a year that he pushes deep into the top 10.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 108 fight card, starting with the Fight Pass "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, and then the remaining undercard balance on FOX Sports 1 at 8 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET, also on FOX Sports 1.