DUBAI: MMA veteran Artem Lobov (14-15-1) has had a celebrated but turbulent career, marked by high-profile opportunities, close relationships, and lingering controversies. A native of Russia who has long been based in Ireland, Lobov has struggled to put together winning streaks at crucial moments. His friendship with global superstar Conor McGregor — once close friends, teammates, even “brothers” — eventually soured after Lobov filed a lawsuit in Ireland’s High Court, claiming he was promised a share of the profits from McGregor’s whiskey brand Proper No.