Hector Lombard came into the UFC billed as a killer, someone who would be a game-changer in the UFC’s middleweight division.
That didn’t quite pan out. But Lombard’s rebirth as a welterweight took another step forward on Saturday night.
More Coverage: UFC 171 Results | UFC news
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Lombard outclassed former Strikeforce and Elite XC champion Jake Shields on Saturday night at UFC 171, winning an easy decision at Dallas’ American Airlines Center. The judges’ scores were 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
The Cuban-born American Top Team fighter picked Shields apart in the first round, landing a monstrous head kick which cut Shields open.
The pace slowed in the second round, but it was still Lombard’s round, as he got the best of things on the feet and was smart enough not to do anything stupid on Shields’ guard. Lombard converted on all five takedown attempts over the first two rounds.
Despite bizarre criticisms from commentator Joe Rogan, Lombard continued to dominate in round three, save for a late guillotine attempt by the crafty Shields, which Lombard rode out.
The former Bellator champion improved to 34-4-1 (1 NC) with his second straight win after dropping to 170 pounds. Shields (29-7-1, 1 NC) lost for the first time in three fights.