5 Main Card Predictions For UFC 182

5. Hector Lombard vs. Josh Burkman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBugRiK42L0 Weight Class: Welterweight Undefeated since dropping to welterweight, former Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard (34-4-1, 1NC) had a hard time even finding an opponent for UFC 182. The sixth ranked welterweight is a dangerous man with a slick judo game and heavy hands, and it appeared fighters were ducking him. As a result, his first fight of 2015 comes against unranked returnee Josh Burkman (27-10), who has been out of the UFC for several years after a 10 fight stint following The Ultimate Fighter 2. Burkman was most recently found competing in the WSOF, where he fought for the promotion's welterweight title, losing to Steve Carl by submission. This is a high risk, low reward fight for Lombard, who is the clear favourite. If he loses, it's a huge upset. If he wins, well, he was supposed to, so what does that get him? That said, at least he found someone willing to tango with him. Burkman has never been knocked out, and Lombard needs to avoid tiring himself out early. He should build on the game plan used in his fight against Jake Shields, which was a three-round beat down, and control the action, use his judo, and look to finish only if the opportunity presents itself. Lombard by TKO in the second or third - but a decision wouldn't be a surprise, as Burkman is a wily vet of the fight game.