Héctor Lombard

In 2006, Lombard fought twice in PRIDE. He lost both fights by unanimous decision, the first to Akihiro Gono and the second to Gegard Mousasi.

Lombard headlined the first Cage Fighting Championship show on 28 July 2007, where he fought top Australian fighter Kyle Noke. The result was a controversial draw. On 23 November 2007, Lombard defeated French kickboxer and actor, Jean-François Lénogue to be the CFC Middleweight Champion. He has defended his title six times, with the last title defence coming against Art Santore.[11] Lombard next successfully defended his belt against UFC veteran Joe Doerksen at CFC 16 on 25 March 2011.

Lombard was scheduled to compete for the promotion at UFC 78, but was forced to withdraw due to visa issues.

On 18 April 2008, EliteXC released a press statement citing the signing of Héctor Lombard.[12] His first opponent was scheduled to be Scott Smith in November, but the fight was later cancelled after the collapse of the promotion.

On 6 January 2009, it was announced that Héctor Lombard had signed an exclusive agreement with Bellator Fighting Championships.[13] He fought and defeated Virgil Lozano and Damien Stelly to make it to the finals and fight for the first Bellator Middleweight Championship belt. Lombard defeated Jared Hess via doctor stoppage in the fourth round to win the middleweight title.

Lombard was scheduled to face Paulo Filho in a non-title bout on 13 May 2010 at Bellator 18,[14] but Filho pulled out of the bout on 10 May due to an alleged visa issue and was replaced by Jay Silva.[15] Lombard scored the fastest knockout in Bellator history by recording a six-second win, surpassing Eddie Sanchez and his ten-second KO win over Jay White.

Lombard then faced former NFL player Herbert Goodman in a non-title fight on 12 August 2010 at Bellator 24.[16] He won the fight via KO (punches) in the first round.

On 28 October 2010, Lombard defeated Alexander Shlemenko in a 1st season winner vs. a 2nd season winner matchup to retain the Bellator Middleweight Championship at Bellator 34. He was the first man in Bellator history to successfully defend his title belt in any weight division.

Lombard next fought Falaniko Vitale in a non-title bout at Bellator 44.[17] He won via KO in third round.

Lombard fought in another non-title bout against Trevor Prangley at Bellator 58 on 19 November 2011. Lombard won the fight via second-round TKO.

On 30 January 2012, Lombard's contract with Bellator expired.

Lombard also captured the inaugural Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) middleweight title when he submitted Jesse Taylor in the second round with a heel hook at AFC 2.[18] In the first and beginning of the second rounds, he used superior strength to out-grapple Taylor. This victory would extend his winning streak to 24 wins

It was confirmed on 24 April 2012 that Héctor Lombard had signed with the UFC.[19] Lombard was expected to make his UFC debut against Brian Stann on 4 August 2012 at UFC on Fox 4.[20][21] However, Stann was forced out of the bout citing a shoulder injury.[22] In turn, Lombard was pulled from the card and instead faced Tim Boetsch on 21 July 2012 at UFC 149, replacing an injured Michael Bisping.[23] Even though Lombard scored a knockdown and a couple of takedowns, he lost the fight by split decision.

Lombard faced Rousimar Palhares on 15 December 2012 at UFC on FX 6.[24] Lombard knocked Palhares out in the first round with ground and pound after having knocked him down with punches.

Lombard was defeated by Yushin Okami at UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann on 3 March 2013.[25]

Lombard next dropped down to the welterweight division to face Nate Marquardt on 19 October 2013 at UFC 166.[26] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Lombard faced Jake Shields on 15 March 2014 at UFC 171.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Lombard was expected to face Dong Hyun Kim on 23 August 2014 at UFC Fight Night 48.[28] However, he pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Tyron Woodley.[29] Lombard faced returning UFC veteran Josh Burkman on 3 January 2015 at UFC 182.[30] He won the fight by unanimous decision. Subsequent to the event, it was revealed that he failed his post-fight drug test, testing positive for the anabolic steroid desoxymethyltestosterone.[31]

Lombard was expected to face Rory MacDonald on 25 April 2015 at UFC 186.[32] However, on 10 February, the UFC indicated that both participants had been removed from the card and that the pairing had been scrapped as both fighters are expected to be rebooked against a new opponent.[33][34]

On 23 March 2015, it was announced that Lombard had been suspended for one year (retroactive to 3 January) and fined his original $53,000 win bonus, plus one-third of the rest of his purse, which included $53,000 in show money, and had his win over Josh Burkman overturned to a no contest by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NSAC) for failing his UFC 182 drug test. In addition to his suspension, fine, and overturning of the win, he also must pass a drug test prior to getting re-licensed by the NSAC.[35]

Losing Streak

In his first fight after the PED suspension was lifted, Lombard faced Neil Magny on 20 March 2016 at UFC Fight Night 85.[36] After nearly finishing Magny with strikes in the first round, he was stopped via TKO in the third round.[37]

Lombard faced Dan Henderson in a middleweight bout on 4 June 2016 at UFC 199.[38] After a back and forth first round, he was stopped via KO in the second round.[39]

Lombard was expected to face Brad Tavares on 28 January 2017 at UFC on Fox 23.[40] However, the bout was scrapped on January 10 due to undisclosed reasons.[41] Lombard was quickly rescheduled and faced Johny Hendricks on 19 February 2017 at UFC Fight Night 105.[42] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[43]

Lombard faced Anthony Smith on 16 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 116.[44] He lost the fight via KO in the third round.[45]

Lombard faced C. B. Dollaway on 3 March 2018 at UFC 222.[46] At the conclusion of the first round, Lombard landed two strikes after the horn, which rendered Dolloway unable to continue. As a result, Lombard was disqualified.[47]

Lombard faced Thales Leites on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137.[48] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[49]

Lombard faced Thiago Silva on May 20, 2022 at Eagle FC 48.[50] After initially knocking down Silva in the first round, Lombard was knocked down himself in the second, before being hit with an illegal knee that rendered him unable to continue. As a result the fight was declared a no contest.[51]

Lombard is scheduled to face Chris Sarro at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 on November 10, 2023.[52]

Lombard then faced Joe Riggs for the inaugural BKFC Cruiserweight Championship at BKFC 18 on June 26, 2021. He won the fight and claimed the championship via fourth-round technical knockout.[58] Immediately after the fight, Lombard had his post-fight interview interrupted by fellow BKFC competitor Lorenzo Hunt resulting in Lombard punching Hunt in the face twice, initiating a minor brawl.[59]

Lombard then attempted his first title defense against Lorenzo Hunt at BKFC 22 on November 12, 2021.[60] He ended up losing the title via unanimous decision.[61]