Report: Hector Lombard visa issues keep him off UFC 78 card

So give him KOS

When I first saw the headline, I was like ‘lol, Oh no, the New Jersey card gets worse by losing a main card fight’, but actually, this is just about the best thing that could have happened to this card. Karo vs Kos would be a great fight, and is actually better than the weak main event. Kos has a little more rest than Fitch, so I see Kos taking the fight over Fitch. They’re buddies, remember? They will sort it out peacefully and rationally and come to the conclusion that since Kos has more rest, he will fight. I could be completely wrong, that’s just how I read the situation.

Props to whomever it was that was saying that the New Jersey event needed Kos back on Friday.

I would love to see how well Koscheck would do against Karo, that would be a great match. Two fighters with a great deal of skill and also two of the biggest egos. I cannot stand Koscheck and would hope Karo would win this. His experience and his versatility should get him the victory. Anyway, I believe that Koscheck should have fought Karo before he fought Diego, but he was lucky enough to miss out Karo and get straight to Diego. As much as I would like to see the match, I do not think Koscheck deserves to fight Karo now as he has just had a loss. I do not think Karo would be able to beat Fitch considering how dominant Fitch was against Diego, but Fitch’s performance and win show that he is more deserving of a match with Karo than Koscheck. Karo’s last fight was a win where he showed extremely good stand up skills.I think these two should be the ones that get the opportunity to move closer to a title shot. It should be a good fight, Fitch should win because he is a lot stronger, but Karo has improved a hell of a lot and will not make this an easy fight at all.

I thought this all got figured out?

To be honest, GSP needs to have one more fight before even getting a title shot, and I think a Karo/GSP II fight needs to be instore.

I mean come on, if Josh Koscheck would of defeated GSP, do you really think he would have been next in line for a title shot?

I don’t think so.

GSP defeated Koscheck after his title fight, and does not even finish Koscheck. GSP gets a title shot in Canada.

Once again Dana White and Joe Silva are playing favorites and it makes me sick.

Give me GSP/KARO II to really see who is in line for the belt.

Koscheck vs. Karo would be nice too.

Ha I would love to see Marcus Davis vs. Karo.

Just because if Marcus wins, he should be in line for a title shot.

JOSH KOSCHECK VS KARO PARISYAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That just might save this terrible card.

get fitch in there against karo!!!!!!! what a fight that would be. it would really,really improve that card.

I agree that GSP should fight for a title shot but not against karo. Fitch vs GSP at 79 to determine the #1 contender. Fitch deserves it.

GSP did fight for the title shot did you start watching MMA yesterday?

I thought this all got figured out?

To be honest, GSP needs to have one more fight before even getting a title shot, and I think a Karo/GSP II fight needs to be instore.

I mean come on, if Josh Koscheck would of defeated GSP, do you really think he would have been next in line for a title shot?

I don’t think so.

GSP defeated Koscheck after his title fight, and does not even finish Koscheck. GSP gets a title shot in Canada.

Once again Dana White and Joe Silva are playing favorites and it makes me sick.

Give me GSP/KARO II to really see who is in line for the belt.

Koscheck vs. Karo would be nice too.

Ha I would love to see Marcus Davis vs. Karo.

Just because if Marcus wins, he should be in line for a title shot.

Do you have any idea how hard it might be to finish a guy like Koscheck? He dominated him from bell to bell at him own fantastic game.

And how are they playing favorites? After Koscheck beat Diego, he was on the way to a title shot. He was a top contender, so why wouldn’t GSP get another shot at the title? I think you’re not thinking rationally.

Kos is a bad matchup for Karo, espeacially that he has been training for a guy like Hector. I’m not a Kos fan bye any means, but I like his odds in this fight if it should happen.

I agree Noel, GSP is like the Black sheep of MMA, He has had the hardest road to every title shot he’s ever had.

You find me anyone in that devision that comes close to the amount of competition GSP has faced.

Dieo was not a top ten fighter, Kos was spoonfed a road to the tittle, and he couldn’t handle it.

I thought this all got figured out?

To be honest, GSP needs to have one more fight before even getting a title shot, and I think a Karo/GSP II fight needs to be instore.

I mean come on, if Josh Koscheck would of defeated GSP, do you really think he would have been next in line for a title shot?

I don’t think so.

GSP defeated Koscheck after his title fight, and does not even finish Koscheck. GSP gets a title shot in Canada.

Once again Dana White and Joe Silva are playing favorites and it makes me sick.

Give me GSP/KARO II to really see who is in line for the belt.

Koscheck vs. Karo would be nice too.

Ha I would love to see Marcus Davis vs. Karo.

Just because if Marcus wins, he should be in line for a title shot.

Please tell me you are kidding? I love Marcus just as much as the next guy, but a title shot? He needs to fight some better competition first. GSP absolutely gets a title shot next. Matt Hughes got a title shot after her fought Chris Lytle for crying out loud. KOS vs. Karo, winner of that faces Fitch for a shot at the title. Which should be GSP after he crushes the winner of Hughes/Serra. How about Marcus fights the loser of Serra/Hughes? The matchups are endless!

Man, this sucks…. First Rampage cant get into cananananada then Lombardo cant get into NJ?
What is our world coming too =*(

Luppers why couldn’t Rampage get into Canada?

it was I that said kos needs to be on this card.
and i may have gotten my wish. finally if it comes true, this card will not suck as much anymore. and it will be some what saved.

how would fitch be ready in time for this? he just fought! kos seems way more logical.

jake – i’m not sure if either have them have mentioned it but i don’t know if fitch and kos would agree to fight each other. they train together at aka

I just seen the picture, how tall is Lombard, 5’3"? He looks very wide and short armed for WW.

Cuban Fighter!?!?!?!, be careful boys, these guys can fight, they got top of the line training in Cuba that not that many people know about.

But he is off the Card Luis? so we will save the careful for another time.

Kos needs to get on this train.

I thought this all got figured out?

To be honest, GSP needs to have one more fight before even getting a title shot, and I think a Karo/GSP II fight needs to be instore.

I mean come on, if Josh Koscheck would of defeated GSP, do you really think he would have been next in line for a title shot?

I don’t think so.

GSP defeated Koscheck after his title fight, and does not even finish Koscheck. GSP gets a title shot in Canada.

Once again Dana White and Joe Silva are playing favorites and it makes me sick.

Give me GSP/KARO II to really see who is in line for the belt.

Koscheck vs. Karo would be nice too.

Ha I would love to see Marcus Davis vs. Karo.

Just because if Marcus wins, he should be in line for a title shot.

I agree on what you had said about gsp, he won against Karo but decision so part 2 does makes sense.
also Koscheck against Karo would be an excellent/interesting fight as well, and Marcus davis is awesome and could make things very hard for any welterweight
I like any one of those 3 against Karo in November.

GSP has got his title fight, why would he risk it, it’s non-sense.

The other two must happen at some point.

Another life’s dream ended again by VISA!! GO GET AN AMERICAN EXPRESS or MASTERCARD!! ACCEPTED EVERYWHERE!!

LMFAO @ FRANK, we needed that, it was getting petty seriouse in here.

Kos or Fitch to me would be a great fight. This could be a good road to getting the next 3 title fights.

Hughes-Serra
GSP-winner(Hughes-Serra)
Fitch-winner(Kos-Caro)
winner(GSP-winner(Hughes-Serra))-winner(Fitch-winner(Kos-Caro))

GSP is easily the most talented 170 pounder in MMA, to say he doesn’t deserve a title shot straight away is dumb as f**k… I love both Karo and Fitch but neither of them could beat Georges…

Kos is a bad matchup for Karo, he won’t respect Kos’s wild haymakers and he will get KTFO.

If Koscheck wants to fight again why, not get him to fight Diego. Maybe he is a bit scared of fighting Diego because it went to a descision when Diego was only at 50%. He probably thinks he has no chance with Diego at 100%. He really should be trying to silence the critics and doubters by getting a rematch, but for a guy who really likes to talk a lot, he is staying very quiet about this.
 He said that he was inexperienced in their first bout and demanded a rematch, he got it even though he did not deserve it. Everbody knows why Diego fought like crap in that fight, so logically they should have a decider, before Diego moves down a weight. Koscheck must be scared of a rematch otherwise he would not settle for such a hollow victory. He shouldn’t just be satisfied with stopping Diego’s unbeaten record he should want to prove he is better than Diego, he definately has not done that yet.

This TUF crap completely derailed the division. Holy crap, GSP could’ve already been fighting for the title by November and Fitch could’ve been lined up for a title shot.

GSP did fight for the title shot did you start watching MMA yesterday?

You don’t have to act like such a wise-guy. I know that obviously but as much as I like GSP he’s been given an easy road back to the title. When you’re waiting from August til March or April to fight for the title and all it took was one win , why not fight another top contender in the meantime? I don’t want to see GSP lose his title shot either but I really feel that he should solidify his number one contender spot.

GSP is easily the most talented 170 pounder in MMA, to say he doesn’t deserve a title shot straight away is dumb as f**k… I love both Karo and Fitch but neither of them could beat Georges…

Perhaps I should remind you that he was absolutely destroyed by Serra ONE FIGHT prior to the KOS match. Look, i understand he’s got the Van-Damme body, and ridiculous athletic ability. But potential alone does not merit a championship match. He has to earn it. Losing to Serra does not earn it. One fight in doesn’t either.

I just bought 300 dollar tickets to 78, the ONLY reason I did so was because the UFC comes to the east coast as often as Randy Couture picks the wrong side of a fight.
The UFC has a major chance to redeem themselves on this weak card with this opening. Please Dana…give me Kos, Fitch, I will even take Davis, Swick (if healthy), and yes even Leben! Just make it interesting dammitt!
Bisping Sucks!

yeah, lets see koscheck/karo…that will improve this card enormously…it’d be even better if it was karo/fitch…

Perhaps I should remind you that he was absolutely destroyed by Serra ONE FIGHT prior to the KOS match. Look, i understand he’s got the Van-Damme body, and ridiculous athletic ability. But potential alone does not merit a championship match. He has to earn it. Losing to Serra does not earn it. One fight in doesn’t either.

overall I would like to see Karo against koscheck

Maybe Lauzon will get his wish and be bumped up to fight Karo.

jake – i’m not sure if either have them have mentioned it but i don’t know if fitch and kos would agree to fight each other. they train together at aka

jp-I know they are training partners at AKA, but eventually one of them is going to have to train elsewhere, because if they both want to get to the top….they will have to fight each other. Fitch could move up to 185 though, he is a monster already at 170 and has the frame to add weight.

Perhaps I should remind you that he was absolutely destroyed by Serra ONE FIGHT prior to the KOS match. Look, i understand he’s got the Van-Damme body, and ridiculous athletic ability. But potential alone does not merit a championship match. He has to earn it. Losing to Serra does not earn it. One fight in doesn’t either.

WTF? You’re talking about GSP like he’s Brandon Vera or Roger Huerta. GSP scored a clear victory over Kos, who is a top contender. His title shot is based on accomplishment, not potential. GSP has gone down the line and beaten most of the biggest names in the division: Karo, Mayhem, Trigg, Sherk, BJ, Hughes, Kos.

Kos or Fitch to me would be a great fight. This could be a good road to getting the next 3 title fights.
Hughes-Serra
GSP-winner(Hughes-Serra)
Fitch-winner(Kos-Caro)
winner(GSP-winner(Hughes-Serra))-winner(Fitch-winner(Kos-Caro))

To all other GSP haters he most definately deserves this title shot. He has fought much harder competition than anoyone and has never had ONE easy fight throughout his time in the UFC. Do you know what he would do any of the guys Fitch has faced? He would end their careers. And if KOS had won that fight he would have definatley been fighting for the title. And GSP would be fighting Karo or Fitch. Now that Kos lost he needs to fight one of those.

Kos or Fitch to me would be a great fight. This could be a good road to getting the next 3 title fights.
Hughes-Serra
GSP-winner(Hughes-Serra)
Fitch-winner(Kos-Caro)
winner(GSP-winner(Hughes-Serra))-winner(Fitch-winner(Kos-Caro))

sorry i meant to say this is the perfect format for the division. before i started rambling about GSP

I am not familiar with Lombard but in that pic he looks pretty damn big for 170.

Lombard is thick but he’s only 5’9" tall.

To all other GSP haters he most definately deserves this title shot. He has fought much harder competition than anoyone and has never had ONE easy fight throughout his time in the UFC. Do you know what he would do any of the guys Fitch has faced? He would end their careers. And if KOS had won that fight he would have definatley been fighting for the title. And GSP would be fighting Karo or Fitch. Now that Kos lost he needs to fight one of those.

-I agree, it’s pretty clear cut, this line-up makes the most sense… of course those who want to speculate will.

Kos vs Karo wold be awsome definitely should be called main event instead of Evans/ Bisping. Karo is one of the most exciting fighters (Nick Diaz to) but his cardio is suspect he needs to forget about the Gyros and dedicate himself to the gym.

Kos is a cardio machine so as long as he doesnt get caugt in any early submissions I give a slight edge to Kos.

Fitch vs GSP must happen

If Koscheck wants to fight again why, not get him to fight Diego. Maybe he is a bit scared of fighting Diego because it went to a descision when Diego was only at 50%. He probably thinks he has no chance with Diego at 100%. He really should be trying to silence the critics and doubters by getting a rematch, but for a guy who really likes to talk a lot, he is staying very quiet about this.
He said that he was inexperienced in their first bout and demanded a rematch, he got it even though he did not deserve it. Everbody knows why Diego fought like crap in that fight, so logically they should have a decider, before Diego moves down a weight. Koscheck must be scared of a rematch otherwise he would not settle for such a hollow victory. He shouldn’t just be satisfied with stopping Diego’s unbeaten record he should want to prove he is better than Diego, he definately has not done that yet.

For the record I like Diego and dislike Kos. I can’t imagine Kos being scared of Diego, and another win over diego will do nothing for his ranking… they will fight again another time.

Diego is considering droping to 155 lbs.. last time he weigh that was in high school 6 yrs ago, 152 lbs. I bet he’s not sure he can make it (he’s lean at 170). He should lift to put on 2 lbs of muscle a year and continue to work on his standup like a madman.

Diego is in the stepping stone positon for upcomers ’ cause of his recent loses and will have to fight a loser of Top 5 and win to earn his spot back.

Putting Kos into this match-up might be a bit premature. Per an earlier entry on this website, Kos has fulfilled his 9 fight deal with the UFC and is currently out of contract. Kos has expressed his discontent with the crappy TUF contracts on a few occasions. Zuffa mgmt and Kos’ agent would need to pound out a contract before could even begin to think about matching him up against Karo. With a little over a month until the PPV, I don’t think there is sufficient time to ink a deal and give Koschek the proper time to train for the match-up.

true
kos is out of contract that might be the reason he is fighting in jan or feb to settle a new agreement and not rush it, the fans of jersey should get a good fight for the tito mess and the crappy main event, mike swick is ready, needs to fight, also marcus davis is another name but they might have him wait till next year in newcastle. kos vs the heat would be awesome dana could make it up to the fans of jersey by getting this fight going,
don’t be surprised if mike swick fights the heat.

Please tell me you are kidding? I love Marcus just as much as the next guy, but a title shot? He needs to fight some better competition first. GSP absolutely gets a title shot next. Matt Hughes got a title shot after her fought Chris Lytle for crying out loud. KOS vs. Karo, winner of that faces Fitch for a shot at the title. Which should be GSP after he crushes the winner of Hughes/Serra. How about Marcus fights the loser of Serra/Hughes? The matchups are endless!

Did I say Marcus Davis needs a title shot now? No. I said put him up against Karo, and if he defeated Karo, he could have the possibility to have a title shot.

St. Pierre wont “crush” Hughes nor Serra. Both of them have beat them before, and both would provided some intriguing rematches (and a 3rd one for Hughes)

Fitch vs. St. Pierre probably is the best money match right now that has not been made.

My take is, Fitch vs. Karo possibly in 2008 then the winner gets Pierre/Matt. That is the biggest welteweight money match-up.

Where does Koscheck go? I still would like to see Koscheck/Alves.

I would like to see Marcus Davis get some top 10 fighters.

But my money goes right now on Rich Clementi vs. Josh Koscheck and Anthony Johnson vs. Marcus Davis.

Hughes has only had one win and an instant title shot… And do you think if GSP and Serra rematched tomorrow the result would be the same?

i would love to see GSP

Perhaps I should remind you that he was absolutely destroyed by Serra ONE FIGHT prior to the KOS match. Look, i understand he’s got the Van-Damme body, and ridiculous athletic ability. But potential alone does not merit a championship match. He has to earn it. Losing to Serra does not earn it. One fight in doesn’t either.

It is MMA and anything can happen in MMA, his loss to Serra does not make him a clown. He had an off night, underestimated his opponent, and took a clean shot while triping backwards. Do you think if that fight hapened 5 times the result would be the same? Hughes is getting a title shot after being completely owned by GSP and beating Chris Lytle. What is Lytle ranked like to 30 of that weight division? That is like saying you should be in the world series because you beat the Baltimore Orioles. At least GSP beat a fighter that most people consider one of the best pound for pound ATHLETES in the mma world and a fighter who many feel is a top 5 contender. If it was based on who fought who Hughes should still be the one to have to beat a contender before he gets the title shot. Why not put Hughes with one of these world class wrestlers like Fitch or Kos and see how well his wrestling holds up. I am not sayinghe would lose but I bet you he does not finish either of them either. GSP has proven time and time again that he can beat the best at their game. Kos had no wrestling answer for GSP’s sprawl and ability to avoid the take down. Maybe GSP did not finish him, but on that note the only person to finish Kos is Fickett in the begining of his mma career. I hate Kos but respect has to be given where respect is due.

What ever Happened to Dennis Kang? Are there no efforts or have there been no efforts to get him to the UFC?

Did I say Marcus Davis needs a title shot now? No. I said put him up against Karo, and if he defeated Karo, he could have the possibility to have a title shot.

St. Pierre wont “crush” Hughes nor Serra. Both of them have beat them before, and both would provided some intriguing rematches (and a 3rd one for Hughes)

Fitch vs. St. Pierre probably is the best money match right now that has not been made.

My take is, Fitch vs. Karo possibly in 2008 then the winner gets Pierre/Matt. That is the biggest welteweight money match-up.

Where does Koscheck go? I still would like to see Koscheck/Alves.

I would like to see Marcus Davis get some top 10 fighters.

But my money goes right now on Rich Clementi vs. Josh Koscheck and Anthony Johnson vs. Marcus Davis.

You pretty much said what I said before. Karo vs. whoever and the winner of that takes on Fitch for a title shot against Pierre/Matt. You also kind of backtracked on the Marcus Davis title shot with your statement “I would like to see Marcus Davis get some top 10 fighters” Before you said he should fight Karo then get a title shot? If Marcus can beat some top tens in his NEXT two or three fights then he deserves a title shot, but not until then. You also said Joe Silva and Dana play favorites with St. Pierre? If I remember didn’t St. Pierre beat about 5 legitimate contenders before he got a shot? Karo, Mayhem, Trigg, Sherk, Penn? I would contend that is not playing a favorite, but making him fight stiff competition before giving him a shot, which he took full advantage of.

You pretty much said what I said before. Karo vs. whoever and the winner of that takes on Fitch for a title shot against Pierre/Matt. You also kind of backtracked on the Marcus Davis title shot with your statement “I would like to see Marcus Davis get some top 10 fighters” Before you said he should fight Karo then get a title shot? If Marcus can beat some top tens in his NEXT two or three fights then he deserves a title shot, but not until then. You also said Joe Silva and Dana play favorites with St. Pierre? If I remember didn’t St. Pierre beat about 5 legitimate contenders before he got a shot? Karo, Mayhem, Trigg, Sherk, Penn? I would contend that is not playing a favorite, but making him fight stiff competition before giving him a shot, which he took full advantage of.

St. Pierre did beat those men you just named, but guess what? He got his title shot, and won. Then he lost to Serra. I think fighters should have to fight more than once to get a title shot. Look at KenFlo, he lost a title match against Sean Sherk, yes he was not a champion, but KenFlo has been on an impressive win streak, and he is not even mentioned as a contender. Karo has been on a very impressive streak as well, and it seems that he can not get a break.

Come on, Georges St. Pierre fighting in his backyard is not favoritism?

I mean, when Rich Franklin/Silva was announced in Cincinnati everybody was bashing saying Rich is the posterboy, and UFC is playing favorites, but when GSP gets a title shot in his home COUNTRY non-the-less people are like this is awesome, and dont think it is favoritism.

Just like Michael Bisping in Britian, its favoritism. Yes it draws more fans, I understand that, but its just like Franklin/Silva, it is kind of unfair for one opponent, to step into anothers backyard.

How is GSP gonna fight in Canada? The Canada event is happening in January, and Hughes-Serra is happening in December. That’s too soon. And there’s been a lot of guys who’s gotten a re-match for the title after only 1 fight against a contender. Hell, just look at Matt Hughes, he beat freakin’ Chris Lytle! Chris is good, but not Kos good. It usually happens if you were the champ and you lost your title. But if you were the challenger, you face a longer road back.

Hughes fought Lytle who is a lot weaker opponent than Koscheck, and got a title shot. Dana could have given him Diego or Karo but didn’t. If Hughes could get a title shot back then for fighting Lytle then whats the problem with GSP getting one for beating a superior fighter like Koscheck.

GSP did fight for the title shot did you start watching MMA yesterday?

that fight was not for a title shot that was just another fight

St. Pierre did beat those men you just named, but guess what? He got his title shot, and won. Then he lost to Serra. I think fighters should have to fight more than once to get a title shot. Look at KenFlo, he lost a title match against Sean Sherk, yes he was not a champion, but KenFlo has been on an impressive win streak, and he is not even mentioned as a contender. Karo has been on a very impressive streak as well, and it seems that he can not get a break.

Come on, Georges St. Pierre fighting in his backyard is not favoritism?

I mean, when Rich Franklin/Silva was announced in Cincinnati everybody was bashing saying Rich is the posterboy, and UFC is playing favorites, but when GSP gets a title shot in his home COUNTRY non-the-less people are like this is awesome, and dont think it is favoritism.

Just like Michael Bisping in Britian, its favoritism. Yes it draws more fans, I understand that, but its just like Franklin/Silva, it is kind of unfair for one opponent, to step into anothers backyard.

I am sorry but please don’t put the competition Kenflo has fought in the same category as GSP. Not even close. But even so Kenflo IS a contender, whoever said he wasn’t? That division is loaded so he is going to have to wait a bit.

And saying that the UFC is playing favorites by having the a title fight in Canada, I have not heard that is a definite, but why wouldn’t it be? They are trying to open up more markets and Montreal would have 20,000 people jam the Bell Centre. The UFC would be idiots to not have the best fighter in Canada fight there. Stop drinking your hatorade for GSP and just except the fact that he has EARNED everything he gets.

that fight was not for a title shot that was just another fight

Really? Okay let’s break it down. Matt Serra is the champ. Matt Hughes is the number one contender. Before the GSP and Kos fought, they were ranked by most as the number 2 and 3 contenders. They fought, and it wasn’t for a title shot? Odd.

Really? Okay let’s break it down. Matt Serra is the champ. Matt Hughes is the number one contender. Before the GSP and Kos fought, they were ranked by most as the number 2 and 3 contenders. They fought, and it wasn’t for a title shot? Odd.

they never said it was

There are many times that a fight is for a title shot only if it’s a convincing win. For example, Arlovski was in line for a title shot if he beat Werdum convincingly, but his lacklustre performance cost him the shot despite the win.

but just because people think it doesnt mean it was cause UFC never said who will fight the winner of MATT V MATT