My UFC debut back in July was supposed to be the best night of my career, my coming out party.
It was my opportunity to show the UFC fans, and everybody watching around the world, what I was all about and what I could do to the middleweight division.
Unfortunately, it didn’t exactly go according to plan. Rather than a coming out party, my UFC debut was a frustrating night at the office, and rather than make a statement, I suffered a defeat to Tim Boestch, my first loss for six years.
Looking back, I couldn’t tell you what went wrong. I was happy going into the fight and was physically fit and ready to go. It was the moment I’d been waiting for.
Even just fighting in the UFC meant I was a happy man. I didn’t think too much about my opponent, I just wanted to get in there and show the UFC fans what I could do.
The Octagon wasn’t a problem, nor was any kind of Octagon shock. I’d fought in Bellator before, so knew what it was like to compete in a cage, and the environment itself felt fine on the night. Also, even though a UFC debut is a big deal, I was very mature and experienced by the time I entered the organization. I wasn’t some young kid, and certainly wasn’t nervous or worried.
Boestch was tough, durable and strong – exactly as I expected him to be. He stuck in there. He threw a few good kicks and punches along the way, but I don’t think he won the fight.
Yes, he might have done better than people expected him to, but that doesn’t mean he automatically wins the fight. I still say if you look at that fight round-by-round, I should have received the decision at the end of it. I don’t think Boetsch did enough to deserve the victory.
It wasn’t my best performance, no, but I still believe I should have won. And knowing that I can beat guys like Boetsch at my very worst gives me hope for the future. When I do turn up and give my best in future fights, I know for a fact I will be winning in spectacular fashion.
I’d love to fight Tim Boetsch again. Not only fight him again, but beat him again. I’ll put the record straight this time. I’d do many things differently in a rematch, but, most importantly of all, I wouldn’t leave it in the hands of the judges.
Dana White warns fighters not to do that and it’s good advice. By leaving a fight in the hands of the judges, you’re basically asking three people to determine your career path for you.
I don’t want to have to rely on other people to tell me how well I’ve done. I want to go out there and finish fights in a dramatic fashion. I don’t want there to be any doubt. And if Boetsch crosses my path again at some point in the future, I have no doubt I’ll take the fight out of the hands of the judges.
I also know that to get to Boetsch, and one day redeem myself, I must defeat Rousimar Palhares tomorrow. I’m not looking beyond Palhares right now, because a win over him unlocks everything else. But if I come up short again, my career will be in a very bad place.
Going into this fight I am using the disappointment of the Boetsch loss to fuel my fire and inspire me to look for the stoppage from the moment the fight begins.
I’m not looking to beat Palhares by decision or just ‘squeak’ past him. I want to beat him emphatically and for there to be no doubt at the end of the fight.
I want to do to him what I should have done to Tim Boetsch five months ago…
Exciting middleweight contender Hector Lombard battles Rousimar Palhares on Saturday, December 15 at UFC on FX SOTIROPOUlOS vs. PEARSON, live from Queensland, Australia. Tickets available at Ticketek http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=UFCONFX12
UFC middleweight contender Hector Lombard is an Cuban-born, Australian mixed martial artist, currently fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Hector learnt Judo from a very young age and went on to represent Cuba at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. After later moving to Australia, he turned to MMA and became national champion building an unrivalled string of victories. Follow him on Twitter at @HectorLombard
Hector Lombard battles Rousimar Palhares on Saturday, December 15 at UFC on FX SOTIROPOUlOS vs. PEARSON, live from Queensland, Australia. Tickets available at Ticketek
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
Talk about having to eat my words! LoL! Oh well, I am only human, and I admit when I am wrong. Congrats to HL on the win
Patrice
Guest
When did Hector Lombard say he should be treated as if he had won the fight against Tim Boetsch?
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Big call mate. I think we were all a bit taken in with the hype leading into that first fight. It is easy to look impressive when you aren't fighting the top fighters in the world. I wouldn't go as far to say the UFC is no place for Lombard but it is a bit rich saying you thought you won the fight and therefore you should be treated like you got the win. Now is definitely the time to put up or shut up, that is for sure.
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
heres the thing..you talk about Boestch fighting better than expected, and while that may be true what did you expect? You are now fighting in the UFC, the be all and end all for the sport of MMA. The big league the ONLY league really so anyone who is anyone fighting on that roster is very much the best fighters in there weight, give or take the odd person fighting in bellator "strikeforce" cage rage etc... You dont turn up and you will get your butt handed to you. I expected a whole buch from you and my usual apprehension about backing someone with a known record going into the UFC was put on hold because I thought you were going to do very well. You didnt and that really dissapointed me and alot of your australian fans whom have followed you since you adopted this great country. Talk is cheap homie, we know you have the goods and have the physical attirubutes but do you have the mental and psychological game? I will go out on a limb and say no, the UFC is too much for you. This is not some sideshow organisation where yiou can abuse the ref and call a fight off because you feel you won, this is the UFC and Palhares is going to either submit you or break your leg off.