This is the UFC 182 live blog for Hector Lombard vs. Josh Burkman, a welterweight bout at Saturday night's UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night
Lombard, who has won three of his past five fights, will face Burkman, who is making his UFC return, on the main card.
Check out the UFC 182 live blog below.
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Round 1: John McCarthy is your referee, as UFC 182's main card gets kicked off. Burkman circles as Lombard pursues. They exchange, and Burkman, lowest, lands the bigger parting show. Low kick from the heavy underdog Burkman. And another. Now he comes up high with a kick, but it's errant. Burkman moves in with a flurry, and Lombard, holding his ground, clips with wit a right. Now Lombard gets a leg and twists Burkman down, but the Utah fighter bounces right back up. Another big exchange at the other post, this time Lombard landing the better shot. He pursues Burkman around the cage, and lands a right cross on the fence. Burkman circles away. A couple of leg kicks from Lombard, who is being very measured here. Burkman comes forward, covers up for the Lombard throws and counters with a looping left. A lot of misses so far from both, as they try and gauge space and timing. Lombard ducks out of the way of an overhand from Burkman. Burkman peddles around the cage, and finally Lombard catches up to him on fence; they exchange. Burkman with a superman punch off the fence, but I don't think it landed clean. Front kick from Burkman, who is bleeding slighting from his nose. Lombard snaps off a right hand, and now a jab. Action slows at bell. MMA FIghting scores R1 for Lombard (10-9).
Round 2: Lombard drops to a knee to throw a left, but it doesn't land. Body kick from Burkman is countered with a hard shot to the chest from Lombard. Again, Kombard in pursuit, an they have a big clash on fence, with both guys planting and throwing! Lombard may have wobbles Burkman on another exchange. He's not right on his feet, as he back peddles to the fence. Big barrage from Lombard, who again crumples Burkman. But Burkman wheels around, and is still in it. His nose is bleeding. Lombard pursues, and it looks like Burkman is gassing here. He has his hands low, and Lombard comes in with a combo, finishing with an uppercut. Body kick from Burkman, and now he wheels out with his hands all the way down at his thighs. He is exhausted. Lombard, also huffing hard, coolly plods forward. A kick from Burkman and he smiles as it lands. Now he is waiting in casual pose for Lombard on fence, and crowd lets up a boo. Nice exchange at the other end, and Lombard is landing some heavy leather on those things. Big right hand. Slow little sally from Burkman, who might be trying to just survive the round now. Lombard not much better, though, as he has slowed down considerably. Again Burkman smiles at Lombard after a quick leg kick. Mostly one-off shots here as the round ends. MMA Fighting scores R2 for Lombard, 10-9 (20-18 overall)
Round 3: Burkman's corner was screaming at him to get rolling. But he eats a waving high kick from Lombard to start, and now they clinch. Lombard momentarily takes Burkman down, and now he betters the attempt and drops him more towards the center. Burkman, on his back, has Lombard tied up close. Now Lombard is trying to slip his leg out, and does, into side control. Burkman in some trouble in this spot, and he's eating some punches. He attempts to get up, and does, but he's wearing Lombard piggyback. Now they break. Lombard tracks Burkman down along fence, and once again plants and unloads. That time he nailed Burkman with some leather, and Burkman wobbles. They break, and low kick from Lombard. McCarthy makes sure he's okay, and we're right back at it. Lombard in control here, but can't put the tough veteran away. Left hand whaps Burkman, and now Lombard throws a slick combo and everything touches home. Burkman a half-hearted side kick; nothing on it whatsoever. Leg kick from Lombard, who is content to throw in singles as Burkman moves out. This thing is going to end with the crowd in a pretty dissatisfied state. Lombard lands a couple of parting shots, including a big left hand right at the horn. MMA Fighting scores R3 for Lombard, 10-9 (30-27 overall)
UFC 182 official results: Hector Lombard def. Josh Burkman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)