Just a few hours away from UFC 171 and the betting odds are in for the main card. The second fight of the main card has Hector Lombard as a -210 favorite and Jake Shields as a +165 underdog. Earlier this week Jake Shields has been calling for a title shot with a win over Hector Lombard. It wouldn’t be difficult to make a case for him, with wins over both members of the unofficial title eliminator fight Tyron Woodley (split decision- June of 2013) and Carlos Condit (decision-back in 2006). Shields has just two losses in his last 21 fights coming from GSP and Jack Ellenberger, a fight he took just two weeks after the passing of his father. His less than exciting fighting style may hinder his ability to gain a title shot, but one thing Jake Shields knows how to do is win.
Hector Lombard came riding into the UFC on a hype train back in 2012 and since then has gone just 2-2 in the octagon. The hype has been built up again after Lombard’s impressive win via KO over Marquardt following a drop to the 170lb weight class.
Tonight, Jake Shields will look to spin a web of his American jiu jitsu in order to control and out point Hector Lombard on his way to another split decision. Lombard will do his best to keep the fight standing with an advantage in the striking department, containing the right combination of power and speed required for a devastating KO. Shields will need to do what he does best by neutralizing the power striking with his clinch game in order to lure Hector into his wheel house on the canvas.
This may ultimately end up being a replay of the 2010 fight Jake Shield vs. Dan Henderson. Shields may take a few solid blows in the early rounds of the fight, but if he is able to avoid the lights going out the advantage will shift his way in the later rounds. Jake will test the unproven gas tank of Hector Lombard and look to squeeze out a win as he has done so many times before. If you are looking for the most bang for your buck at UFC 171, Jake Shields just might be your guy.
