Disappointing UFC Debut Doesn't Mean End of Title Hopes for Hector Lombard

It's too early to call Hector Lombard a bust, but in his UFC debut, he was certainly a disappointment. The hyper-aggressive fighter who boasted 13 first-round knockouts during his 25-fight unbeaten streak was nowhere to be found, instead electing to fight a passive style of counter striking against Tim Boetsch, and never scrapping the plan even when it became clear it wasn't working.

It could have simply been a case of the octagon jitters. Lombard had been anticipating this day for years -- dating back to his first rumored arrival in 2007 -- and when it finally arrived, he was in a co-main event. And before he knew it, people were booing him.

That had to be a disconcerting development. Suddenly, his new home was not so inviting. Instead, it had turned adversarial. All throughout fight week, everything had been perfect for him. He'd been treated royally by the UFC, many media members and MMA observers were placing him smack into the middleweight title picture, and he was a solid favorite to beat Boetsch.

Now, all of that is gone. Lombard is tainted goods in the eyes of many, particularly to those who previously thought he was only the product of beneficial matchmaking outside the UFC.

But the good thing is this for Lombard: MMA fans tend to have short memories.

For proof, think about Carlos Condit, who like Lombard, came into the UFC as a reigning champion for another promotion. In Lombard's case, it was Bellator, and in Condit's case, it was WEC.

At the time, Condit was riding an eight-fight win streak, and on the outer fringes of the welterweight division's top 10. Among the sport's observers, there was a division about just how good he was, and whether he could challenge among the UFC's best or would wilt under the bigger spotlight. And just like Lombard, Condit lost his octagon debut in a split-decision.

Except for their ages, the parallels between Condit and Lombard at the times of their arrivals are eerily similar. And as we know now, things turned out pretty well for Condit.

After the Kampmann loss, he beat Jake Ellenberger. And then Rory MacDonald, and Dan Hardy, and Dong Hyun-Kim and Nick Diaz, on the way to the UFC interim welterweight title.

Fans have short memories. For a time, Condit was considered one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, a real finisher. But a tactical game plan against Diaz, which admittedly may have gone too far, turned many against him. And against him, they have stayed, even though prior to that, he'd knocked out Kim and Hardy and even today's wunderkind, MacDonald.

I can predict that if Condit knocks out Georges St-Pierre when they fight, hopefully later this year, Condit will be back in the fans' good graces as a crowd-pleaser. One fight seems to swing perception that much, and Condit's seen every side of the tug of war.

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• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao nearly lands a head kick on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Urijah Faber walks to the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Urijah Faber and Renan Barao fight at close range during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao lands a hard right on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Urijah Faber lands a front kick on Renan Barao during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao lands a head kick on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao fires a jab at Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao lands a right straight on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao cracks Urijah Faber with a left hook during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao celebrates his victory during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Renan Barao screams after his victory over Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Hector Lombard lands a right hand during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Tim Boetsch walks to the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Hector Lombard walks to the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Tim Boetsch lands a front kick on Hector Lombard during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Hector Lombard lifts Tim Boetsch for a double leg takedown during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Hector Lombard finishes the takedown on Tim Boetsch during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Tim Boetsch celebrates his victory over Hector Lombard during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Cheick Kongo and Shawn Jordan clinch during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Cheick Kongo enters the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Shawn Jordan between rounds during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Cheick Kongo tries to fire a knee on Shawn Jordan during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Shawn Jordan and Cheick Kongo taking a breather during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Cheick Kongo is declared the winner over Shawn Jordan during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Chris Clements fires a spinning back kick at Matt Riddle during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Brian Ebersole fires a middle kick to the ribs of James Head during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Brian Ebersole prepares to fight during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Brian Ebersole gives the thumbs up on a guillotine attempt from James Head during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos James Head lands a knee in the clinch on Brian Ebersole during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos James Head celebrates his victory during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Chris Clements lands a right hand during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Chris Clements between rounds during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos UFC Octagon girl Brittney Palmer during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Matt Riddle nearly lands a head kick during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Matt Riddle finishes Chris Clements with a head and arm triangle during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Ryan Jimmo knocks out Anthony Perosh in seven seconds during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Roland Delorme punches Francisco Rivera during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Roland Delorme and Francisco Rivera battle during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Francisco Rivera drills Roland Delorme during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Francisco Rivera finishes Roland Delorme during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Francisco Rivera is halted from throwing any more punches during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Roland Delorme is knocked out in the first round during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Francisco Rivera celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Ryan Jimmo celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Ryan Jimmo celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Bryan Caraway makes his way to the Octagon during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Rachelle Leah is back during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Mitch Gagnon kicks Bryan Caraway in the chest during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Bryan Caraway punches Mitch Gagnon during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Logan Stanton is back during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Mitch Gagnon punches Bryan Caraway during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Mitch Gagnon punches Bryan Caraway during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Bryan Caraway tries to submit Mitch Gagnon during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Bryan Caraway celebrates his rear-naked choke win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Bryan Caraway celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Antonio Carvalho gets ready for his fight during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Daniel Pineda gets ready for his fight during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Antonio Carvalho hits Daniel Pineda in the face during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Antonio Carvalho looks to finish Daniel Pineda during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Antonio Carvalho looks to finish Daniel Pineda during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Antonio Carvalho, right, celebrates his knockout win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Antonio Carvalho celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Mitch clarke grabs Anton Kuivanen's leg during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Mitch clarke and Anton Kuivanen battle on the ground during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Anton Kuivanen knees Mitch Clarke in the stomach during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Anton Kuivanen punches Mitch Clarke during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Mitch clarke and Anton Kuivanen exchange punches during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Anton Kuivanen, right, celebrates his split-decision win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• UFC 149 Photos Octagon girls Brittney Palmer, Logan Stanton and Rachelle Leah pose for photos during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Lombard has the chance to turn it around, too. The difference between the two is that Lombard is short on time. He's already 34 years old, and even though he hasn't yet been robbed of his hand speed, those days are coming faster than he would hope. So if his UFC 149 performance was an aberration, if it was simply the nerves of the moment getting to him, he should have a chance to win over the critics he lost.

If there's one thing we've learned from watching Lombard's career, it's that he'll soon get his chance. The Cuban likes to stay active. He fought five times apiece in 2009 and 2010, and four times in 2011. Lombard won't want to stay out of the cage for too long.

When he does return, he'll come back with a nearly clean slate. Carrying a 25-fight unbeaten stretch with you also means accompanying expectation. Lombard was supposed to win big. But now he's just a guy trying to get into the win column, so shedding the streak might be liberating.

Condit was able to turn things around, and Lombard is capable of doing the same. It's not like he got embarrassed by Tim Boetsch; according to FightMetric, Boetsch out-landed him by only 10 strikes in the fight.

Lombard only has to do what he's done all these years: let his hands go. While some will be ready to write him off now, let's not go digging his career grave just yet. His first fight might have been a bust, but that doesn't mean his UFC career will be, too.