Lombard (photo) was caught undergoing a doping test. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Hector Lombard admitted that he was taken by surprise when he found out that he had been caught in a doping test after his fight at UFC 182, at the beginning of the year. The Cuban, who had defeated Josh Burkman in the judges' decision, fell due to an anabolic substance, which guarantees that he did not ingest it on purpose.
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In his first interview after the controversy became public, Lombard stated that he took a pill recommended by a friend of a friend to combat flu symptoms, which he did right after the official weigh-in for the event. “I am very disappointed in my stupidity. That's one of the things that was supposed to happen. I would never expect a pill to have such a strong effect. I thought that when you got caught, it was because you injected something or something,” said Lombard, in an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”.
As a result, Lombard received a one-year suspension, as well as a fine of US$70 and the forfeiture of his victory over Burkman – which turned into a no-contest. The Cuban considered the punishment too severe. “Of course it is unfair. They made an example of me. But what can I do? It's always like that. When it happens to Hector, it's always like this, trying to make an example of it. I believe that if it had been someone else, the story would have been different. But it was good that it happened. When you are at rock bottom, you see who is on your side and who is going to kick you,” he stated.
Lombard will be ready to fight again at the beginning of 2016, when he will be close to turning 38 years old. Even so, the athlete assured that he will not retire.
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