The fight game certainly throws some interesting fights, and this week’s Fight Night in Brisbane features some of the most intriguing battles the fight fans would want to see. While Mark Hunt and Frank Mir will throw down in a heavyweight clash that might include a highlight reel finish, Hector Lombard gets back inside the Octagon against the ever evolving Neil Magny.
The fight itself presents a very interesting matchup of styles; Magny has the undeniable reach advantage, while Lombard, as seen during his fight with Shields, can easily work his way into the pockets and clinches, and work from there.
Lombard has been inactive due to his one-year suspension, and so it will be interesting to see if that plays any part in the fight. Before the fighters get inside the Octagon, I had the pleasure of catching up with Hector Lombard, exclusively for the Indian UFC fans.
A strong background
Talking about his background and transition from judo to MMA, Lombard said that judo had provided him with the base he needed. Lombard was an Olympic judoka, and as such, competed at the highest level even before he took up MMA. “It was very nice, you know what I mean? I was fighting, so it was smooth. I had to adapt pretty quickly, but had judo as a base.”
Hector initially competed at 185, but looked much better after he dropped down to 170. Hector was a small Middleweight, but he fit right in at 170. Hector defeated the likes of Jake Shields, and when asked if he wanted to stay at 170, and how he had felt since dropping down a weight class, Lombard said, “Yeah, I’ve been performing well at 170, but I do want to go back to 185 and fight there. I think there are more awesome fights up there.”
While Magny has shown some weaknesses and loopholes in his stand up defense – especially in his last fight against Gastelum – the range advantage and his superior ground game can cause a lot of problems for Lombard, as seen during his fight with Okami couple of years ago.
On the possible ring-rust
Lombard has also been away from the Octagon for over a year, and as such, when asked if he thought ring rust would be a factor on Sunday, Lombard quickly thwarted that possibility. “Not in the slightest. I belong in the cage. That has never been an issue, and you shall see that on Sunday."
Lombard has also fought in Australia on numerous occasions, and going into the fight, history favors Lombard against Neil.
Hector has never lost a fight Down Under, and as such, he feels confident fighting in front of the Australian fans. “Yeah, there’s no other fighter who has won more fights than me in Australia. I’ve had the most number of fights than any other fighter in this country. I love to fight here, and I want to see what happens next.”
The prospect of moving up to 185
Hector had also made it clear that he wanted to fight more frequently, and said that he doesn’t mind moving up to 185. In fact, Lombard suggested that if he doesn’t find an opponent at 170 after his fight with Magny, he will definitely go up to 185 to find another fight. “Either way, I want to get a fight right away, at either 170 or 185. I do want to get a fight right away. I want to fight, fight, fight this year.”
“There are more billionaires in India than in America.”
Finally, Hector expressed his desire to come down to India and had a message for the UFC fans in India. “Um, I just want to say, “Let’s go India!” I want the UFC to go to India so that I can fight in India.” Hector also urged UFC and the sponsors to organize his trip to India.
“Organize it for me and I’ll be there. I know it takes a lot of money; you guys have a lot of money. There are more billionaires in India than in America. You guys have a lot of money, so please, hook it up and I’m there. Let me know, I’m really excited to go (to India), to be honest.”
UFC Fight Night 85 – Hunt vs. Mir will come to us live from Brisbane, Australia, and Lombard will fight in the co – main event against a hungry and game Neil Magny.
