|
|
Post by 1992 on Apr 24, 2012 17:25:29 GMT -5
Bellator champ Hector Lombard signs with UFC 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, Rebney recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) 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 di such as Lombardinexpensive) 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. mmajunkie.com/news/28415/bellator-champ-hector-lombard-signs-with-ufc.mma |
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 24, 2012 17:30:04 GMT -5
Like I said before, if they want him to fight at 185, they need to throw him to the wolves and fast. Maybe give him Stann or Munoz. I've said time and time again, he needs to go to 170 if he wants to be successful in the UFC. He's very short for 185.
Great signing though. I'm a huge fan.
|
|
hammer
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 12, 2009 2:30:31 GMT -5
Posts: 2,619
|
Post by hammer on Apr 24, 2012 17:40:47 GMT -5
hes really pretty jacked at 185... id think he might have a hard cut to 170. but what the hell do i know.
im in... only seen a handful of his fights though.
|
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 24, 2012 18:01:15 GMT -5
Honestly though, with all the chatter about Lombard during their recent Australia event, I wouldn't be shocked to see Lombard main event the next event there.
|
|
|
|
Post by HHH316 on Apr 24, 2012 19:01:00 GMT -5
This signing isn't a surprise to me. I figured he'd be the easier signing for Dana than Alvarez (even though I do see him signing too.) If he's getting ppv bonuses, you'd have to think he'd be fighting top talent right away.
|
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 24, 2012 19:02:45 GMT -5
I believe it's something like $75,000 to show and $75,000 to win, as well as PPV bonuses, which Bellator could not match due to them not having PPV.
|
|
Fury
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 21, 2007 21:19:09 GMT -5
Posts: 4,257
|
Post by Fury on Apr 24, 2012 22:25:38 GMT -5
Love me some Lombard, can't wait to see him mix it up in the octagon. And yeah I imagine he'll be a headliner over here in Australia.
|
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 29, 2012 15:44:12 GMT -5
Dana has confirmed Lombard vs. Stann.
As well as Thiago Silva vs. Shogun.
|
|
|
|
Post by 1992 on Apr 29, 2012 16:47:53 GMT -5
Silva/Shogun  What about Rampage/Shogun? |
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 29, 2012 16:51:04 GMT -5
Please... I'm sure Dana is just waiting for his contract to run out.
|
|
hammer
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 12, 2009 2:30:31 GMT -5
Posts: 2,619
|
Post by hammer on Apr 29, 2012 16:51:29 GMT -5
Dana has confirmed Lombard vs. Stann. As well as Thiago Silva vs. Shogun. absolutely awesome. |
|
hammer
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jun 12, 2009 2:30:31 GMT -5
Posts: 2,619
|
Post by hammer on Apr 29, 2012 16:52:29 GMT -5
Silva/Shogun What about Rampage/Shogun? id have rather liked to see gustaffson get the promotion in competition to face shogun myself... but thiago should stand with shogun too. |
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 29, 2012 16:58:06 GMT -5
UFC on Fox 4 in August is when Lombard vs. Stann will go down.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Old School™ on Apr 29, 2012 17:35:11 GMT -5
UFC on Fox 4 in August is when Lombard vs. Stann will go down. Wow...Still a ways off, but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait. On a side note, my older brother told me that Lombard is already calling out Anderson Silva. Any truth to that?? |
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 29, 2012 17:39:31 GMT -5
Why wouldn't any person who fights at 185 NOT want to call out Anderson? As if none of them want to be champion.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Old School™ on Apr 29, 2012 17:54:57 GMT -5
Why wouldn't any person who fights at 185 NOT want to call out Anderson? As if none of them want to be champion. I just thought it was a bit surprising is all. I mean, the guy hasn't even fought one fight in the UFC yet and already he's calling out the Middleweight champion. I think you should prove to everyone you belong in the UFC by winning a few fights over top calibre opponents and then call out the champ. That's almost like doing what Brandon Vera did by saying he's going to win two belts in two different weight classes, only to have that come back and bite him in the ass. You've gotta win a few fights over top contenders before you call out the champ. That's just my take on it, but whatever. |
|
|
|
Post by 1992 on Apr 29, 2012 18:24:55 GMT -5
It's just a hype thing. Lombard was calling out Anderson and Sonnen both about 6-7 months back when he was still in Bellator.
Same as Melendez calling out UFC guys every chance he gets. Just put that bug in the media's ear, they spread the word around, fans start ranting and raving, and soon promoters don't have much a choice when there is no interest in any other fight for that particular fighter besides with the person they're "calling out".
Just like Diaz/GSP. I love Condit to death but everyone is much more interested in seeing Diaz/St. Pierre even with Condit's win.
|
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 29, 2012 18:37:22 GMT -5
If I was a middleweight champion of any company outside of the UFC, my main goal would be to fight and defeat Anderson Silva, because I want to be champion. Has nothing to do with anything else besides wanting to be the best.
|
|
|
|
Post by James Hetfield on Apr 29, 2012 18:38:13 GMT -5
And I'll bet he'll get Anderson if he wins by KO or something against Stann.
|
|
Fury
Main Eventer
Joined on: Jan 21, 2007 21:19:09 GMT -5
Posts: 4,257
|
Post by Fury on Apr 30, 2012 3:57:37 GMT -5
Lombard/Stann is such a great match-up, really can't wait to see that. I doubt it's a contender fight though unless Lombard is absolutely dominant. I don't think Dana will want another Shields situation.
|
|
