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Tuesday, Apr 09, 2013

Despite Enlisting Services of Nutritionist Mike Dolce, Hector Lombard Plans to Stay at Middleweight

Lombard (photo via UFC.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Although Hector Lombard has enlisted the services of renowned nutritionist Mike Dolce, the former Bellator middleweight champ has no plans to move to welterweight, as some observers thought the news might signal.

Lombard informed Full Contact Fighter via text that Dolce is going to assist the 35 year-old-fighter in the “cut to 185” rather than a move to welterweight.

Since Lombard lost by split decision to Tim Boetsch at UFC 149 last July, there has been speculation as to whether the 5’8 tall middleweight might consider moving to the 170 pound division. Following the loss, UFC President Dana White suggested that the transition might be necessary, due to the depth of the promotion’s middleweight roster.

Lombard rebounded from his fight with Boetsch, however, by quickly stopping another short and powerful middleweight in Rousimar Palhares last December. Lombard then proceeded to drop a split decision loss to Yushin Okami last month, who used his size and top game to control the feared striker in stages of the fight. The powerful fighter was able to stun Okami in the third round, but he was unable to finish the former number one contender. As a result of the defeat, the debate was sparked once again as to whether Lombard should move to the 170 pound division.

Lombard, who arrived in the UFC armed with an awe inspiring 25 undefeated streak, has consistently backed away from the idea though, by arguing that he’s too big to drop down in weight. Following his announcement yesterday that he would be working with Dolce, who has worked with many highly regarded fighters including Chael Sonnen, Lombard repeated those sentiments to FCF.

The American Top Team Fighter relayed that although he’s “very short” he is also “very muscular and wide”, and as a result, he will continue to compete at 185 pounds.

 

Lombard (photo via UFC.com)

When Lombard appeared on Full Contact Fighter Radio recently, the former Olympic Judoka cited his game-plan, rather than his size, as one of the reasons he has dropped two of his three UFC bouts. Lombard believes that because of his knockout power, opponents “run away” from him, and that therefore he may need to change his approach in future fights.

“So, I think that I need to change around my game,” Lombard said while appearing on the show. “Start being the goal in the fight not just going out there and try to knock people out because they have studied my fights, the way that I fight, and they’re just fighting smart, fighting to win. I’ve tried to make the fight exciting but they want nothing to do with me in the stand-up department. I have to work on it.”

“I’m saying in the way that I have to have a chance to take the guys down, I will,” Lombard added. “I’ll try to be more well rounded…If I can’t KO someone I need to go for the takedown and stuff like that. Change the game, score things, because now these guys don’t want to stand up with me…at least then I’ll score with the takedowns.”

Lombard (32-4-1) is waiting to find out when and who he will fight next. The ATT vet has expressed an interest in fighting Mark Munoz, who is set to fight Tim Boetsch at UFC 162 in July.

 

 

posted by FCF Staff @ 11:04 am
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