Artem broke both his hands in the Jason Knight fight, i'm sure of it. I don't know why else they would swell up like that.
He's taking this fight too soon to allow for proper healing. Probably the payday was too good to turn down. I think it's a mistake.
On the other side of it, i'm not sure Paulie has the heart, fire or fitness for a proper war. He's there for an easy payday and if the fight turns ugly he might question wtf he's doing risking his health in this shitshow and look for a way out.
Hard to call.