Round 6: Hector Lombard labels UFC legend Dan Henderson a liar and a s*** talker

AUSTRALIAN middleweight Hector Lombard has slammed UFC legend Dan Henderson, describing his UFC 199 opponent as an attention-seeking liar.

Hector Lombard will take on Dan Henderson this weekend.

HECTOR Lombard has slammed American legend Dan Henderson, describing his UFC 199 opponent as an attention-seeking liar and “shit talker”.

Speaking with Round 6, Lombard has sensationally hit back at Henderson’s claims which, aired on Fox Sports in the US, suggested the adopted Aussie was a gym bully.

Quizzed on a perceived falling out between the former training partners, who fight in California this Sunday, Henderson said: “(Lombard) was a little bit of a bully ... and a lot of the guys didn’t like him because he’d kind of go extra hard on guys that he was a lot better than or bigger than”.

Henderson added that, while Lombard never acted this way against him, the 2000 Sydney Olympian would often go overboard against fighters of a lower skill level “to feed into (his) ego”.

Yet when quizzed on the bullying claims, Lombard told Round 6: “I don’t pay attention to the shit that Henderson talks because he’s a liar.

“The only guys I sparred with at his gym were big guys. Super huge guys.

“That’s it. Almost every single guy there was big so I don’t know what he’s talking about.

“I went to the guy’s gym and he acted like I was nothing.”

Apart from fuelling their UFC 199 bout, this current feud appears to stretch back to a brief period when Lombard trained at Henderson’s Team Quest gym in Temecula, California.

Speaking on Submission Radio Australia earlier this week, the middleweight labelled Henderson a “f...wit” and “fake”, who believed he was above training partners like Lombard.

“And he knows what I’m saying is the truth,’’ Lombard told us. “But still, he’s trying to talk tough.

Lombard will take on the former PRIDE champion this weekend.

“I went to the guy’s gym and he never paid me any attention. And not just me.

“Henderson thought he was too good for everyone.

“If someone comes to me for advice, of course I will do everything I can to help them. Instead, he acts like I’m nothing.

“And now, he’s just coming out trying to get attention. Give me a break.”

Asked if their feud would affect the way he fought this weekend, Lombard added: “You can’t make the fight personal, otherwise you won’t fight the way you want to.

“I know what I need to do.

“I’m looking to make this a quick KO ... then keep moving.”

FABER CHERISHES CRUZ HATRED

WHENEVER you mention Urijah Faber’s name, Dominick Cruz is sure to follow.

The two bantamweights have a rivalry that runs a decade deep and will complete their trilogy of fights at UFC 199 on Sunday (AEST) nine years after Faber won their inital meeting via first round submission and five years after Cruz took a unanimous decision in the rematch.

Cruz’s bantamweight title will be on the line and regardless of the result their rivalry has become a vital part of both fighters legacy, but Faber wouldn’t have it any other way.

“When I think back to some of the best fight memories as a fan, as a boxing fan, you remember those fights like (Arturo) Gatti and (Micky) Ward and the trilogy between (Roberto) Duran and Sugar Ray (Leonard).

“These are big fights that people remember and I’m not one to smell the roses but to be somebody that’s a historic guy is pretty cool and I don’t care who its with.”

Don’t expect the two warhorses to share a beer and a laugh after the final round though – the enmity between Faber and Cruz runs deep.

Faber will have his fourth shot at a UFC title this weekend.

“For me, this (the hatred) isn’t fake. This is real” Faber told Round 6.

“I’ve always had real respect for the guys I’ve had a lot of respect for, guys like Frankie Edgar, Jose Aldo and pretty much everyone I’ve fought has had a respect thing.”

“I’ve fought friends and there’s always respect, but Cruz and I just don’t like each other.

“I cherish that and I’ll run with it.”

MAD LOVE FOR NO LOVE

ONE of Faber’s crew from Team Alpha Male, the explosive Cody Garbrandt, made the MMA world take notice when he knocked previously undefeated Brazilian Thomas Almeida into tomorrow in their bout last week.

Garbrandt’s prediction of a first round knockout was proved accurate via his thunderous right hook but Faber says he wasn’t shocked by the result.

“I knew that was a perfect match up for him to showcase his power.

“Seeing that happen was not surprising in the least. Did I know it was going to happen in the first round like that? Probably not as much as Cody (knew).

Cody Garbrandt says NIGHT NIGHT #UFCVegas #UFC #NoLove https://t.co/YDNsjsHD8K

— Rick Strom (@RickStrom) May 30, 2016

“Seeing him go out there and lay the smack down was beautiful.”

Faber also lauded Garbrandt’s attitude in the gym, saying that along with Chad Mendes the undefeated Cleveand product was among the most gifted fighters ever to come through the famed Sacramento fight team.

“When I look around the room for intensity there’s always two guys who stand out: Cody No Love and whoever’s going with Cody No Love.

“He’s got a great self belief, he’s got a great support system, he’s got a great team behind him and the guy is a superstar.”

Originally published as Round 6: Hector Lombard labels UFC legend Dan Henderson a liar and a s*** talker