In the wake of UFC 149, many are rightfully criticizing Hector Lombard's debut performance. As Bellator's dominant Middleweight champion, Lombard was considered an exciting signing that could add to the current re-invigoration of the division. His fight against surprising contender Tim Boestch was anything but exciting however. Both fighters were hesitant to engage and the match drug on for a painfully dull 15 minutes.
At the post-fight press conference,UFC president Dana White had a lot to say about Lombard (Transcribed by MMA Mania):
You can’t be angry with [Lombard], but it just shows you guys, ranking guys who don’t fight in the UFC, it’s two different worlds. Guys that fight in other organizations that end up in top 10 rankings, it’s a whole other world over here. Lombard maybe should fight at 170. He made 185 easily. He’s short and wide, but I think he could make 170.
Although he didn't address White's criticism of his non-Zuffa earned ranking, today Hector Lombard announced via Twitter that he would not be dropping to Welterweight.
I feel strong at 185 just because I had a bad fight does not mean that I am going to drop to 170
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) July 23, 2012
Lombard brings up a great point here. There seems to be a a real trend in MMA fans and media calling for fighters to drop down after a poor performance at their chosen weight. However, nothing from his fight with Boestch showed that he was suffering from being an undersized Middleweight. He landed some of the hardest punches in the striking exchanges and shrugged off takedown attempts with apparent ease. The fight was a bore, but that had nothing to do with Lombard's size.
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