Khabib Nurmagomedov, Artem Lobov Have Heated Verbal Exchange In Hotel

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Artem Lobov are already in a fighting mood days before they are set to fight in separate fights at UFC 223.

A video posted by MMAnytt shows both Nurmagomedov and Lobov have a heated exchange with one another at a hotel in New York. The video can be seen below of the encounter, which did not result in any physical altercations. Rick Little, who will be in Michael Chiesa's corner for his fight against Anthony Pettis on the UFC 223 pay-per-view card, can be heard narrating on the video. The exact reason for the confrontation between Nurmagomedov and Lobov is unknown. 

Lobov is friends with former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor, who was the subject of Nurmagomedov's taunts as of late. Nurmagomedov tweeted to McGregor after it was revealed that interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson suffered an injury and would not fight Nurmagomedov on the show, trying to goad McGregor into fighting him. McGregor has not fought in the UFC since defeating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in 2016.

Nurmagomedov is scheduled to compete in the main event of UFC 223, fighting featherweight champion Max Holloway for the vacant UFC lightweight championship. Lobov is currently scheduled to face Alex Caceres on the UFC Fight Pass prelim card.

UFC 223 will take place at the Barclays Center and Fightful will have complete coverage of the event, including a post-show podcast.