.@HectorLombard lands! #UFCHalifax pic.twitter.com/L43KhN3X09
— #UFCHalifax (@ufc) February 20, 2017
The UFC returns to the Great White North for a special Sunday UFC Fight Night event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
In the main event, heavyweight prospect Derrick Lewis will fight his toughest opponent to date when he fights longtime contender Travis Browne.
Former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks moves to the middleweight division in the co-main event. The former champion makes his 185-pound debut against former Bellator champion Hector Lombard.
Hendricks started the fight calm and wisely chose his shots. Hendricks threw a leg kick which was caught by Lombard, who then pushed Hendricks to the cage. Hendricks escaped, but Lombard continued to try and grapple with the former champion. Hendricks continued to wisely choose this shots to get away from Lombard. The round ended with Lombard trying to get Hendricks to the ground, but Hendricks stayed on his feet and escaped Lombard’s grip.
Lombard went for another takedown to start the second round, but once again Hendricks escaped. Hendricks went on to land a few shots before taking a low blow. Lombard started to land some hard punches of his own. Lombard continued to pursue the takedown, but Hendricks used punches to stop Lombard and escape. The round ended with both fighters landing effective strikes.
Both Hendricks and Lombard landed some hard shots early in the final round, but both fighters showed off strong chins. Neither fighter mounted significant damage throughout the last round. Lombard eventually went for another takedown, but once again he failed. At the final minute of the fight, Lombard landed his first successful takedown, but Hendricks immediately got back to his feet. The fight ended with Lombard teeing off with kicks, but Hendricks had no problem retaliating.
Official result:
Johny Hendricks def. Hector Lombard by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
