Lombard wants to fight world's best

CFC WORLD middleweight champion Hector Lombard’s ultimate ambition is to fight the world’s best but he’s content to take his career one step at a time.

“I want to fight the best,” Lombard told cfcworld.com.au. “But I won’t put up any names because at the end of the day calling out names for no reason will look silly.

I’ll fight anybody but for now I’m just focusing on Bellator,” which resumes in April.

Lombard extended his unbeaten streak to a remarkable eighteen fights when he defended his CFC title with a first round demolition of American challenger Art Santore at CFC 12 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.

Lombard opened up Santore’s head with an explosive attack that forced the referee to stop the fight in the first round.

The Australian of Cuban heritage last suffered defeat against Dutch master Gegard Mousasi four years ago.

But despite his class and a record the envy of any MMA fighter, the most common question local fans have been asking is: ‘why isn’t this guy fighting in the UFC?’

“Hector would do great in the UFC if given the opportunity,” said Lombard’s Sydney-based trainer and CFC promoter Luke Pezzutti. “He’s exciting, he’s explosive and he’s a crowd pleaser.”

“MMA is all about entertainment,” Lombard added.

“The fans pay to see action. I’ll see what the UFC comes up with but it’s no rush for me.”