Paulão confirmado contra Lombard

[Fredd Fontes 0]

Bellator confirms Hector Lombard vs. Paulo Filho non-title "super fight" for Bellator 18

Bellator Fighting Championships has booked another of its title-holders for a season-two non-title "super fight" with middleweight champion Hector Lombard (25-2-1 MMA, 3-0 BFC) meeting former WEC belt-holder Paulo Filho (19-1 MMA, 0-0 BFC) at Bellator 18.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported earlier this month that Filho was on a "short list" of possible opponents for the champ.

Now booked, the fight takes place May 13 at Bellator 18 at a location and venue to be announced.

Bellator officials initially targeted May 20 (Bellator 19) for the fight.

Lombard won Bellator's season-one middleweight tournament, and with the three consecutive victories, earned the organization's first-ever 185-pound championship. All of Bellator's season-one champs are expected to fight in season-two non-title fights. The belts won't be on the line until season three later this year, when No. 1 contenders are determined by Bellator's season-two tournaments in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions.

As we mentioned in our initial report, Filho was targeted because of his notoriety and longtime top-10 ranking. Although he's recently struggled with depression and chemical-dependency issues, the Brazilian has won three consecutive fights since a bizarre loss to Chael Sonnen at WEC 36 in which Filho appeared distracted and sluggish throughout the fight.

The former PRIDE fighter, who's beaten the likes of Melvin Manhoef and Alex Schoenauer (at light heavyweight) in recent fights, could re-emerge as a top middleweight with a win over a notable opponent such as Lombard.

Lombard, after all, is riding an 18-fight undefeated streak that included wins over Virgil Lozano, Damien Stelly and Jared Hess in Bellator's season-one tourney. Lombard, a 2000 Cuban Olympian in judo, most recently topped Art Santore to defend his Cage Fighting Championship belt for the sixth time. He won the Australian promotion's title in 2007.

"Our super fights are designed to test our champions against the best available fighters," founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. "Paulo's won three fights in the last eight months including an impressive submission victory over Melvin Manhoef in DREAM in July. When Paulo’s on his game, he is one of the most dangerous middleweights in the world. Just over a year ago he was ranked as one of the top 185-pounders on earth. Now, he’s back and winning frequently.

"And, whereas other top middleweights wanted nothing to do with Hector Lombard, Paulo and his team agreed to take this fight. As I have said frequently, I believe Hector Lombard is one of the top middleweights in the world, and this fight could be a great test for Hector and a great fight for MMA fans."

For more on Bellator 18, check out the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

[sei la joao 0]

Tomara que desta vez ele apareça pra lutar. Não sei como ainda tem gente que da essas chances pra ele, mas ja que deram, espero que o paulão não desperdisse. O lombard é casca, mais acho que o Paulão vence.

[Fernando Justin 0]

Aposto numa passagem de carro do Lombard.

[MinotauroNogueira 0]

WAR PAULADA CALA A BOCA DE TODOS MAIS UMA VEZ

[Diogo_Cwb 0]

[HeadFir3 0]

Apezar dos pezares, na torcida pelo Doritos!

[Convidado Filosofo_de_Bar]

Ele tava confirmado no biteti ate um dia antes da luta......

Mas enfim mais um ser folclorico do brasil, ao lado do saci e da mula sem cabeça...

[thomaz.andrade 0]

War Doritos estragado!

Afinal, é brazuca.

[Convidado Lepecid Choke]

Valeu Tim Maia....boa luta

[tcdal 0]

Quem vai ser o árbitro? Silvio Santos?

[Dedéks 0]

Paulada coloca sua camisa azul sem manga e vai para Guerra meu velho ,porque se tu de mole tua casa cai de vez ok, torço por vc.

[Real Deal 0]

Calma. a presença do Paulão só se confirma quando ele estiver dentro do ringue. Antes disso já vimos que tudo pode acontecer. Realmente espero que a luta role e estou torcendo pelo Paulo.

[marceloL 0]

Luta dura pro copiação de Mike Tyson....se não vier em forma vai levar uma passada de carro do lombard.

[FCB 0]

Calma. a presença do Paulão só se confirma quando ele estiver dentro do ringue. Antes disso já vimos que tudo pode acontecer. Realmente espero que a luta role e estou torcendo pelo Paulo.

Hhahahaa.. exatamente.

Tb estarei torcendo por ele, porém, acho q o Lombard vence.

[Adamastor 0]

Lombard é casca! Podia muito bem estar o UFC