Yoel Romero faces Alex Nicholson after Lombard withdraws
Hector Lombard has withdrawn from Friday’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10 main event against Yoel Romero, scrapping an all-Cuban headliner five days before fight night.
According to MMA Mania, Lombard blamed insufficient preparation time for his exit. “I didn’t have enough time. Maybe a week and a half of training — I most respect the game,” Lombard said on Instagram. “I need the proper training and proper time…I must be prepared.” Promotion founder Jorge Masvidal confirmed the change via social media, per Sherdog.
Nicholson replaces Lombard at light heavyweight
Alex Nicholson will now face Romero in a light heavyweight bout at Unrivaled Arena in Miami. Romero, 48, has bounced between combat sports disciplines since beating Thiago Santos at PFL vs. Bellator in February 2024. He dropped a decision to Vagab Vagabov at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Russia last month and has competed in Dirty Boxing and BKFC over the past two years.
Nicholson carries a 20-13 MMA record and stands 3-2 under the Gamebred banner. The Spartan last won in September 2024, knocking out former UFC fighter Zac Pauga, but dropped back-to-back decisions to Chase Sherman and Frank Tate. Lombard stopped Chris Sarro in the first round at Gamebred in 2023 but ate a 19-second knockout from James Cannon at DBX 3 in his most recent outing.
Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10 streams free on YouTube with prelims at 7 p.m. ET and the main card at 9 p.m. ET.
Original reporting:
- mmamania.com — Yoel Romero gets new opponent after Lombard withdraws | MMA Mania
- sherdog.com — Hector Lombard withdraws, Yoel Romero gets new foe at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA