Hector Lombard out of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA main event, ‘Spartan’ steps in to face Yoel Romero

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Hector Lombard enters the ring to fight David Mundell during the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships at Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center on February 15, 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Bummer.

Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA returns this week (Fri., May 1, 2026), but it’s lost its all-Cuban main event. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and BKFC fighter Hector Lombard has withdrawn from his scheduled clash against Yoel Romero.

According to Lombard, the issue came down to preparation time.

“I see a lot of bad energy,” Lombard said on Instagram. “I didn’t have enough time. Maybe a week and a half of training — I most respect the game. For many years I haven’t respected the game, but I gotta respect the game from now on. I need the proper training and proper time…I must be prepared.”

Lombard last competed for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA in 2023, stopping Chris Sarro in the first round. He also went 3-1 in BKFC, with his lone loss coming to Lorenzo Hunt. However, he’s coming off a brutal 19-second knockout loss to at DBX 3 ().