Bellator
BELLATOR NEWS: CEO Bjorn Rebney says Filho vs. Lombard still on for Bellator 18 next Thursday
May 7, 2010 - 9:39:14 PM BELLATOR NEWS: CEO Bjorn Rebney says Filho vs. Lombard still on for Bellator 18 next Thursday

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Despite tonight's earlier report from GracieMag.com to the contrary, Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney says that the May 13 "Super Fight" between Paulo Filho and Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard is still on as far as he knows.

In comments made to MMAJunkie.com, Rebney stated, "I've been on the phone with all the appropriate people and we've got everything in line.

The GracieMag report stated that Filho was unable to get a visa to come into the country for the fight, but Rebney believes everything is in order and said according to Filho's representatives the middleweight will fly from Brazil to the U.S. on Monday. The MMAJunkie report does say they've got a plan B if it's necessary.

"We've backed ourselves up; we've done everything we needed to do in protecting the sanctity of that event, but my hope is that he shows up," Rebney said. "I think Hector Lombard deserves this fight."

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Penick's Analysis: We'll keep following as this develops, but hopefully for Bellator and Hector Lombard's sake Filho shows up and takes this fight. As Rebney said, this is a fight Lombard deserves, and he needs to get onto one of their broadcasts during this season so they can showcase just how good he is. A win over Filho would be a nice feather in his cap moving forward with Bellator. Now, after getting him into the country on Monday, the next step will be making sure he shows up for the fight itself.

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