Lombard signs with the UFC

Discussion in 'MMA Forum' started by thewinfella, Apr 25, 2012.


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  1. thewinfella

    thewinfella The Golden Boy Full Member

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    Longtime Bellator champion Hector Lombard (31-2-1 MMA, 8-0 BFC) has officially signed with the UFC.

    The 185-pound standout today announced the news via Twitter.

    UFC president Dana White had expressed interest in the Cuban-Australian fighter, who recently fulfilled the terms of his Bellator contract after an 8-0 stint in the organization that's part of an overall 24-0-1 run in his past 25 outings.

    Lombard didn't disclosed a debut date or opponent, and UFC officials haven't formally announced his signing. However, Bellator was in a matching period with the fighter, and according to MMAFighting.com, Bellator CEO and Chairman declined to match a lucrative UFC deal that includes pay-per-view bonuses for Lombard. (Only the UFC's top talent gets such PPV deals.)

    With Lombard vacating the title, No. 1 contender Alexander Shlemenko will fight the winner of the current season-six middleweight tournament for the belt.

    The UFC nearly brought the 34-year-old Lombard into the fold in 2007, but visa issues halted the possible debut at UFC 78. He's since fought primarily for Bellator and regional promotions in Australia. With Bellator, he he won a season-one tournament, made one title defense, and also won four non-title fights after winning the belt.

    While losing a top fighter such as Lombard is a hit for Bellator, the organization's business model doesn't allow it to truly capitalize on big-name talent. Instead, the tournament format and newly discovered (read: inexpensive) regional and international talent are the star attractions.

    Additionally, Bellator has struggled to find quality competition for highly ranked fights such as Lombard, and with the organization's move from the little-watched MTV2 to the bigger Spike TV delayed until 2013, most of their plans are geared toward the future, not the present.
     
    thewinfella, Apr 25, 2012
    thewinfella, Apr 25, 2012
    #1
  2. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Brian Stann is the obvious choice :yep :deal
     
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    #2
  3. achillesthegreat

    achillesthegreat FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE Full Member

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    Serious violence will occur. Stann can punch.
     
    achillesthegreat, Apr 25, 2012
    achillesthegreat, Apr 25, 2012
    #3
  4. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    And can take one. And so can Lombard. Violence is the right word.
     
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    #4
  5. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Match the winner up with winner of Belcher-Palhares. Boo-ya! A legitimate and interesting challenger for Anderson is born ;-)
     
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    #5
  6. Lefthooktommy

    Lefthooktommy Natural Born Killer Full Member

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    Ed Herman would make sense if Stann isn't available
     
    Lefthooktommy, Apr 25, 2012
    Lefthooktommy, Apr 25, 2012
    #6
  7. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Now that is a very nice pick. A well-rounded, dangerous and tough guy as well. Herman has looked nasty since coming back. Lombard is just nasty, general.
     
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    #7
  8. Beouche

    Beouche Juan Manuel Marquez Full Member

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    Palhares would be great but cant see the UFC risking getting their new toy crippled in his first fight
     
    Beouche, Apr 25, 2012
    Beouche, Apr 25, 2012
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  9. Stoo

    Stoo Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Palhares isnt new to the UFC
     
    Stoo, Apr 25, 2012
    Stoo, Apr 25, 2012
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  10. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Thing is with Paul Harris is either he'll get wasted early or will latch onto a leg and make the bully scream. I only wanna' see it if Toquinho beats Belcher (very intriguing fight IMO and hard to call personally) and Lombard beats a top-rated guy first.

    Eddie Alvarez seems pretty desperate to fight again soon so the 're-negotiating' process can start quicker. I can see him going over pretty soon as well.

    All we need now is Pat Curran :yep :deal
     
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    #10
  11. afterglow

    afterglow Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think they should give him a mid level guy that is a good style matchup to hype him a little.

    He's never beaten a top ten and hasn't exactly been fighting top competition lately.

    I'd love to see him fight Leben when he comes back.
     
    afterglow, Apr 25, 2012
    afterglow, Apr 25, 2012
    #11
  12. Stoo

    Stoo Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I was thinking Leben aswell, when is he back?
     
    Stoo, Apr 25, 2012
    Stoo, Apr 25, 2012
    #12
  13. rusty nails

    rusty nails Tszyu for PM!! Full Member

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    i thought maybe akiyama or maia would be good matchups but both have gone to welter havent they?
     
    rusty nails, Apr 25, 2012
    rusty nails, Apr 25, 2012
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  14. Stoo

    Stoo Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Yep both are at WW
     
    Stoo, Apr 25, 2012
    Stoo, Apr 25, 2012
    #14
  15. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล

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    Shame Bisping is fighting Boestch now.
     
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    Flea Man, Apr 25, 2012
    #15
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