The UFC 182 card scheduled for Las Vegas on January 3rd has added a welterweight bout between Hector Lombard and Josh Burkman. Look for Lombard, who at 36 years is looking to get on the fast track to a title shot, to be favored at the books when the lines are published. For Burkman, it is a difficult return fight to the UFC, where he has not fought since October of 2008.
For Burkman, he has had a very successful run with the World Series of Fighting, and he was training for a match with WSOF champion Steve Karl, but that match fell through and he wound up being released and getting an offer with the UFC.
Lombard is currently ranked 6th at welterweight and he has won both of his fights since coming down from Middleweight. Burkman is coming in at a high level with the organization. Lombard is a difficult match for Burkman coming in, even with a streak where Burkman has won six of seven fights while definitely showing that he broke his ceiling and has improved, but against Lombard he is probably going to give up some strength and athleticism to Lombard, and he could be susceptible to Lombard’s judo and throws.
Lombard is coming off an injury that saw him pull out of a fight with Dong Hyun Kim, and then Tyrone Woodley would not agree to face him up on his return. The injury that saw him pull out of the Kim fight was a herniated disk, so it will be interesting to see if Lombard, who will be 37 years old a month after the fight, is able to fully recover from what can be a debilitating, repetitive injury.
The over/under on this fight bares watching, as Burkman is heading into a multi-fight contract and he will be as motivated as he has ever been in his career. Lombard will always have his KO power, but he is unlikely to finish the fight with submissions, preferring to punch you out or punch you for fifteen minutes, so this one has a good potential to go the distance.
Burkman has been in the middle of some controversy around his return to the UFC this week. In this very recent interview from MMA Fight Corner, Burkman gives his take on a variety of subjects. Enjoy.
