Video: Paulie Malignaggi Slaps Artem Lobov at Bare Knuckle FC Media Day

They aren’t currently scheduled to meet, but the foundation has been laid for fight between Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship banner.

Malignaggi and Lobov engaged in a heated confrontation at Mendez Gym in New York during a Bare Knuckle FC media day on Tuesday, and the situation nearly escalated into an all-out brawl after Malignaggi slapped the UFC veteran.

“Next time it’s a harder slap. That was a b—h slap for a b—h,” Malignaggi said. “Next time I’m gonna slap you like a real b—h. Don’t get in my face and make threats here. I got in your face to promote. Don’t get in my face and make threats here, because I’ll f—k you up here. Next time I’ll smack the s—t out of you for real. I smacked you like a little b—h because that’s what you are right now.”

Lobov will face fellow UFC veteran Jason Knight under the Bare Knuckle FC banner in Biloxi, Miss., on Saturday, while Malignaggi recently signed with the organization.

Malignaggi briefly served as a sparring partner for Lobov teammate Conor McGregor prior to the Irishman’s boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, but relations turned sour when footage of an alleged knockdown during one of their sessions surfaced on social media.