Artem Lobov Signs with Bare Knuckle FC, Meets Fellow UFC Vet Jason Knight on April 20

Artem Lobov has signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and will square off against fellow former UFC talent Jason Knight in Biloxi, Miss., on April 20.

The organization announced the news in a release on Wednesday. Both Lobov and Knight were recently released by the UFC. According to a report from ESPN, Lobov’s deal is for three fights and six figures. He is eligible to sign with an MMA promotion while under contract.

“I feel Artem is a great addition to our roster and his style is made for this sport,” Bare Knuckle FC president David Feldman said in the statement. “Attracting and signing a guy with the following that Artem has is a perfect match for where we are right now as an organization. I think this signing speaks volumes for the direction BKFC is heading.”

Lobov was released from the UFC following a decision loss to Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night 138. The SBG Ireland representative went 2-5 during his promotional tenure and became something of a polarizing figure for fight fans because of his ability to receive high-profile fights despite his pedestrian record.

After winning four of his first five UFC appearances, Knight appeared to be a rising star in the featherweight division. However, the Mississippi native ended his tenure on a four-bout skid. He last appeared at UFC 230, where he dropped a unanimous verdict to Jordan Rinaldi on Nov. 3.