Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veterans Johny Hendricks and Hector Lombard will collide in a Middleweight match up this Sunday (Feb. 19, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 105 inside Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
To be frank, Hendricks’ career has fallen apart. Just several years ago, he was the 170-pound champion of the world, but he has since come up short in four of five fights and missed weight twice. All this misfortune prompted his move to Middleweight, where Hendricks hopes to regain past glory. Lombard is in a similarly desperate situation. A failed drug test and vicious comeback beating from Neil Magny sent him back to 185 pounds, where old man “Hendo” again scored a violent come-from-behind knockout.
Let’s take a look at the keys to victory for each man:
Johny Hendricks
Record: 17-6
Key Wins: Robbie Lawler (UFC 171), Carlos Condit (UFC 158), Matt Brown (UFC 185), Jon Fitch (UFC 141)
Key Losses: Stephen Thompson (UFC Fight Night 82), Robbie Lawler (UFC 181), Kelvin Gastelum (UFC 200), George St. Pierre (UFC 167)
Keys to Victory: At his best, Hendricks was a fearless aggressor who charged his foe with looping power punches, great combinations and overwhelming wrestling. Since his losses began, he’s become much more passive, allowing his opponent to dictate pace and range.
He cannot allow that in this match up.
Hendricks’ main key to victory is volume. When Hendricks is mixing his techniques together — throwing multiple punches and digging low kicks — he’s a dangerous striker. Furthermore, he should be able to push a harder pace without having to cut weight.
Lombard has never been a high volume striker, regardless of weight class. If Hendricks is able to throw more punches while mixing in takedown attempts, his 39-year-old opponent will likely fade first, making things much easier for the former Welterweight champion.
VS.
Hector Lombard
Record: 33-6-1 (2)
Key Wins: Jake Shields (UFC 171), Nate Marquardt (UFC 166), Rousimar Palhares (UFC on FX 6)
Key Losses: Dan Henderson (UFC 199), Neil Magny (UFC Fight Night 85), Tim Boestch (UFC 149), Yushin Okami (UFC on Fuel TV 8)
Keys to Victory: Even as he nears 40 years old, Lombard is one of the most terrifying athletes on the roster. The Judo Olympian is absurdly explosive, able to toss men through the air with shocking ease.
He’s also scored 19 knockout wins.
Though both men have fallen from past heights, Lombard remains a very dangerous athlete. When he commits to a big punch or takedown, he still moves with surprising speed and power. With Hendricks more passive and less threatening than ever, Lombard should have free reign to swing violently.
Lombard’s takedown defense is iron clad, and he’s capable of countering any poor shots. Even at Hendricks’ best, he’s been hittable, which is a poor trait opposite Lombard.
Basically, Lombard’s usual patience and explosiveness is a great match for his opponent’s style. Hendricks’ path to victory is basically to make it a war of attrition, but he seems ill-suited for that style of fighting based on recent performances.
Bottom Line: It’s a must-win fight for both athletes.
In each case, some mix of factors between age, advanced drug testing, and motivation has resulted in a serious drop in performance level. Both fighters are on losing streaks and have been sliding down the ladder in desperate need of a win.
On the bright side, one of them is guaranteed to return to the win column on Sunday. The victor may not be in the title picture, but at least they have a base to build from moving forward.
That said, the loser may be done, either released or retired. Both men have had long careers in martial arts and may be ready to move on, but they also may not be given another opportunity inside the Octagon giving their declining performances.
At UFC Fight Night 105, Johny Hendricks and Hector Lombard will compete in the co-main event. Which man will get his career back on track this weekend?