In the co-main event of UFC 149, Tim Boetsch used a combination of range fighting and timely kicks to pick up a narrow split decision win over Hector Lombard in a Middleweight fight. Lombard was able to tag Boetsch with his patented left a few times throughout the fight, but didn't show much aggression in the second half of the bout. Boetsch wasn't his usual aggressive self either, which he attributed to a broken foot in the second round. The scores were 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28.
Boetsch went for takedowns a few times but got nowhere, while Lombard was able to complete them in both the first and third rounds. Boetsch didn't stay down long though, and his steady stream of offense swayed the judges more than Lombard's single attacks and extended periods of inactivity. Basically he was waiting to counter, but Boetsch stayed on the outside and didn't give him the opportunity.
What was the high spot of this fight?
There wasn't much of note. Lombard not even looking at Boetsch or touching gloves during the referee instructions was more interesting than anything in the fight itself.
Where do these guys go from here?
Boetsch will likely be going to a nice comfy chair so he can put his broken foot up. In terms of his career, that performance wasn't enough to earn him a title shot but it was enough to likely push him into the top five in the division. The division is very muddled right now and it's very hard to say who he'll meet next. My guess would be the winner of Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann, but that's only if one of them (Bisping) doesn't get the title shot.
Lombard's stock took a huge hit with his performance last night and it'll be interesting where they go with him from here. I thought he'd be a great matchup for Constantinos Philippou personally, but many people are leaning towards a Mark Munoz matchup instead.
Watch it now, later, or never?
Never. It wasn't the worst fight on the main card, but that's not saying much. Other than wanting to learn about the way Hector Lombard fights, there's no reason to subject yourself to this.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 149 in the full entry.
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UFC 149 Results: Winners And Losers
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