Russian Hammer announced his release via various tweets, and the possibilities ahead of him in and beyond MMA.
Locked and loaded, ready to take on anyone and everyone!!! Who wants it!!?! ???????? @BellatorMMA @KSW_MMA @rizin_PR @bareknucklefc @ONEChampionship @ACA_League
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 29, 2019
It wasn't surprising news to the MMA community, in particular as Lobov has expressed his willingness to crossover sports for over half a year. He has expressed his willingness to expand to kickboxing and other fighting sports, and even raised the idea of requesting his release back in 2017.
Boxing is a great sport, but it lacks entertainment lately. Time to bring in the big guns!!! Who wants it!?!
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 29, 2019
K1 has always been on my radar, proper fights!!! Buakaw, Senchai...
.send them my way, it would be a huge honour to share the ring with them!!! @GLORY_WS— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 29, 2019
Malinagi and Khan I am ready to go next saturday, where are yous at??!! ????????
— Artem Lobov (@RusHammerMMA) January 29, 2019
He's now come across it and he doesn't hesitate to cast names and organizations against which he would like to fight or work for.
Despite training with the UFC's best LW-FW fighter Conor McGregor at John Kavanagh's SBG, Lobov was never able to gain any momentum in the extremely difficult UFC featherweight division.
He finished The ultimate fighter 22 and headlined a card against the Cub Swanson in 2017 with a bit of coach McGregor's help, who brought him back after losing. The Goat is now out of the UFC with 2 wins and 5 losses, and his overall MMA record as of his release in January is 13 wins-15 losses and 1 no contest.
Related: Fan Question: Why Do People Call Artem Lobov The GOAT, Isn't His Octagon Name The Russian Hammer?
Now we must look forward to what's next to the long- term Russian import, be it cage fighting or bare-knuckle boxing or a rebellious match against one of Conor's countless detractors.