Former UFC fighter Hector Lombard is heaping praise on Francis Ngannou following his efforts against Tyson Fury.
Ngannou and Fury collided in a boxing match near the end of October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While most experts predicted an easy win for Fury, Ngannou put forth a showing that left fight fans stunned. Ngannou scored a knockdown over Fury and nearly won the fight. Ultimately, it was “The Gypsy King” who was able to avoid disaster with a split decision victory.
Lombard talks Francis Ngannou’s Performance
In an exclusive interview for Middle Easy, Hector Lombard told Mike Owens that he did not anticipate seeing Francis Ngannou have as much success as he did against Tyson Fury.
“Obviously not, and I would say like 99 percent of people will agree with me that everyone was expecting Francis Ngannou to go over there for the paycheck, but he proved everybody wrong, including me,” Lombard said. “I’m super happy because it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
Lombard went on to share what he thinks this means for the ongoing MMA vs. boxing debate.
“He [Ngannou] beat him fair and square,” Lombard said. “You got beat in your own sport by an MMA fighter. That proves that MMA fighters are the best athletes, the best fighters.”
Hector Lombard Explains Transitioning to Bare Knuckle
In the MMA world, Lombard has competed for top promotions such as the UFC and Bellator. However, his next fight will be held under bare knuckle MMA rules. He’ll face Chris Sarro under the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA banner on November 10. Lombard has experience with bareknuckle fights, but under boxing rules. This figures to be more in his wheelhouse.
For Hector Lombard, all forms of martial arts intrigue him.
“I’m in love with every single martial art,” Lombard said. “I love every single one of them. You can go back on the record and I never have discriminated a martial art because every single one of them, including Kung Fu, are effective somehow.”
Ahead of the fight, Lombard said he feels more relaxed and calm than he has been in the past.
“Right now, I’m in a good spirit,” Lombard said. “I don’t have too much madness like in the past.”
Here’s the full exclusive interview with Hector Lombard:
