UFC 182 will be Hector Lombard‘s chance to prove his spot in the welterweight rankings.
Everything leading up to the event looked like it would be Rory MacDonald, the UFC’s No. 2-ranked contender, who would be next in line for the championship. However, another close battle between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler has seemingly pushed MacDonald back down the ladder.
Per a report on UFC Tonight by Ariel Helwani, the UFC called to inform MacDonald that he would not be getting his title shot.
With a glance at the official UFC rankings, it would appear that a win on Saturday would set up a Lombard-MacDonald title eliminator in 2015.
Winner of eight of his last nine, MacDonald has cemented his spot near the top of the rankings. Any fight featuring MacDonald would be a title eliminator. He is that close to earning a shot at gold. For Lombard, he is undefeated, 2-0, since dropping to welterweight. He currently sits as the No. 6-ranked contender.
Those ranked above Lombard are not in a position to challenge for the belt, or to challenge MacDonald for that opportunity. No. 5-ranked Matt Brown has not had a fight since losing to Robbie Lawler, No. 4-ranked Carlos Condit is coming off an injury in a loss to No. 3-ranked Tyron Woodley and Woodley has a recent loss to MacDonald.
That leaves Lombard and MacDonald as the only two logical choices, sans a GSP return, for the fighter next in line after Hendricks.
Lombard is very marketable. No, he doesn’t speak out often. He isn’t the super charismatic figure of a Chael Sonnen. Lombard is the fighter who embarks fear in fighters and fans alike. The fighter the fanbase knows brings violence into the cage. That is a very sellable aspect and has worked to elevate combat sports throughout its history.
Getting to the potential showdown with MacDonald will not be an easy task. Talented welterweight Josh Burkman makes his return to the Octagon more than six years after being cut with three straight losses.
Since leaving the UFC, Burkman has improved drastically. He posted a 9-2 record outside of the organization. He will not be a pushover for Lombard.
Burkman has brought his striking along quite nicely, and he has fight-ending power. He also has an underrated submission attack. An attack that turned out Jon Fitch’s lights in less than a minute of work in 2013. This is not a cakewalk for Lombard.
The 170-pound division is not light on contenders. The upper echelon of the division beats up on each other, making it difficult for anyone to earn a title shot. And even when one gets there, as MacDonald has, a title fight rematch forces them into another fight.
Lombard-MacDonald seems to be the next title eliminator on tap.
It is always possible the UFC matchmakers throw a curveball at us all, but if UFC 182 plays out with a Lombard victory, the only logical fight for him is that potential title eliminator with MacDonald. Neither fighter is one to wait, and they are at the same place in the division.
Lombard seemingly has his chance to reach serious title contention on Saturday.
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