UFC still clinging to hopes of Lombard v. Parisyan?
It was reported yesterday that Hector Lombard, Karo Parisyan’s UFC 78 opponent, was unable to obtain a work visa to fight in New Jersey next month. The Fight Network is now reporting that Lombard is still on the roster:
UFC officials confirmed with The Fight Network yesterday that Hector Lombard (11-2-1, 1 NC), scheduled to face fellow Judoka Karo Parisyan at Nov. 17’s UFC 78 in Newark, N.J., has not been removed from the roster after a report surfaced yesterday that Lombard could not gain entry into the U.S. for the bout.
Cuban-born Lombard, who represented in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has been unable to secure a visa for the east coast engagement, but his management with Team Quest’s Murrieta, Calif. location is hopeful their client will receive an alternate work visa in time.
Let’s hope this guy gets his work visa. I want to see these two world class Judokas throw down inside the Octagon. Don’t count on it, though.
I do have a beef with this topic, however. How do you sign a guy when you don’t even know if he can get into the country to fight? Wouldn’t you think they’d have known about this? This one’s all on the UFC if Lombard doesn’t end up making the UFC 78 card.
Adam Morgan is
| All posts by Adam Morgan
edub
king mah mah
sexy-yama
Connor Cobain
JollyDV
Makington
Rich S.
submit662266
Bad Monkey
BigDave
I agree Adam. You think the UFC would especially make sure the guy already has a Visa before reporting it on your own site.
Hopefully they have Kos on speed dial.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is not the first time it happens. Remember Lee Murray also had trouble getting into the country (prior to his big heist) even though he was booked to fight.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hope the guy got an advance, for his sake. Perhaps a UFC oversight, but also could be a case of an overzealous hungry fighter misrepresenting himself in the hopes of getting the shot. I can see Dana White getting angry with having to switch the match, and regardless of whose fault it is, it’s a bummer for the fans. My main concern, not knowing Lombard’s work, is my need to see a Karo match. Throw him in there with Burkman again, I don’t care, I just wanna see him fight. Poor Karo, I just hope he has a good deal with UFC. He’s not getting that title shot until we’ve got a new president in the U.S.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As an add on, this is via Dave Meltzer’s daily update last night:
“–Regarding rumors of the 11/17 Newark, NJ UFC match with Karo Parisyan vs. Hector Lombard, at this point the match is still on. There is a snag with Lombard’s Visa so the match isn’t 100%, but it’s not canceled and according to a UFC official, they are “pretty sure” it will be cleared up.”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don’t think this is the first time the UFC has had a visa issue. If I remember correctly Wander Braga was rumored to be on a couple cards now and each time they have removed him do to visa issues I believe. It doesn’t seem like the UFC has quite the pull with the government on this issue as say MLB teams do when some Cuban player defects and gets residency in some other country to play here.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0