Hector Lombard Wins Again, Not Waiting Idly by for Bellator Challenger

Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard

Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard may not have an apparent challenger to his title right now, but that’s not keeping Aussie from keeping busy.

Not only is he staying busy, but he’s also winning. The latest notch in Lombard’s belt is The Ultimate Fighter Season 7 alum Jesse Taylor. Lombard did away with the Team Quest fighter early in the second round of their fight at Saturday’s Australian Fighting Championships 2 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He submitted Taylor with a heel hook.

The victory marks Lombard’s 19^th consecutive win and his 24^th straight bout without a loss. He had a draw with now-UFC veteran Kyle Noke.

Lombard has been with Bellator ever since winning the title in the promotion’s first season back in 2009. He has only had the opportunity to defend the belt one time since, having fought several non-title and catchweight affairs, as well as competing outside the promotion from time-to-time as his contract allows.

Bellator is conducting a middleweight tournament as part of its fifth season, which kicks off next week in Atlantic City, N.J. The middleweight tournament starts on Sept. 17 at Bellator 50 in Hollywood, Fla.