MMA UFC

Hector Lombard’s Failed Drug Test Scraps UFC 186 Welterweight Showdown With Rory MacDonald

Fresh Videos

By @RickLaFitte

Hector Lombard poses after successfully weighing in to face Josh Burkman at UFC 182

Getty Images

The mystery has been solved as to why a highly-anticipated welterweight showdown at UFC 186 between Hector Lombard and Rory MacDonald was unexpectedly shelved by the promotion. Unfortunately, the reasoning behind the scuttling of what loomed as a solid co-main event on April 25 is yet more negative press for UFC officials to deal with.

The No. 5-ranked Lombard is now facing a suspension and fine after testing positive for a banned substance after his UFC 182 victory over Josh Burkman. “Showeather,” who was victorious by unanimous decision, tested positive for the anabolic steroid desoxymethyltestosterone.

It’s now likely the win over Burkman will be changed to a no-contest. Word of the failed test was first reported by MMAFighting.com. Lombard joins a growing list of prominent UFC fighters, including Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz, who have failed tests so far this year.

The news is highly unfortunate as the Lombard-MacDonald matchup was one with serious title ramifications in the 170-pound division. The 37-year-old Lombard had rejuvenated a previously lethargic Octagon tenure by going 3-0 since making the move down in weight from the middleweight ranks. He recorded wins over Nate Marquardt, Jake Shields and Burkman to receive the high-profile assignment. Now that opportunity goes up in smoke and his career is in limbo after failing the Jan. 3 test.

The No. 2-ranked MacDonald now awaits word from the organization on another opponent at another event. There could be the possibility of giving the “Red King” a title shot that was previously promised against Robbie Lawler. The timing seems right for the pair to meet in a rematch, especially with former champion Johny Hendricks already booked into a tough fight at UFC 185 against Matt Brown. MacDonald has recorded wins over Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley and Tarec Saffiedine since his decision loss to “Ruthless” at UFC 167.

Lombard could possibly face the music as early as next week before the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The Silva and Diaz cases are already on the agenda for the Feb. 17 NSAC meeting in Las Vegas.

In the meantime, in the wake of the Lombard-MacDonald cancellation, a flyweight title fight between Demetrious Johnson and Kyoji Horiguchi becomes the new co-main event for the Montreal card.

Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for RantSports

Share Tweet
Trending Now on