MMA veterans Cheick Kongo and Hector Lombard recently traded their traditional gloves for pillows as they faced off in the Pillow Fight Championship (PFC) on ESPN.
The spectacle was broadcast live from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It brought together two combat sports legends with a combined age of 97 years. At 50, Kongo and 47-year-old Lombard never crossed paths during their respective MMA careers primarily due to their significant weight differences. Kongo competed as a heavyweight while Lombard moved between welterweight and light heavyweight divisions.
“These are legends in the world of MMA,” the commentator noted as the two former UFC stars squared off in the PFC ring. “Check Congo with his history being carrying one of the great UFC fights of all time… and the Olympic history of Hector Lombard.”
Lombard’s impressive resume includes an extraordinary 20+ bout win streak from 2007 to 2011 in Bellator. On the other hand, Kongo is remembered for his spectacular comeback victory against Pat Barry in 2011 – a moment still celebrated in UFC highlight reels.
The PFC competition follows a structured format with three 90-second rounds and a points-based scoring system. Competitors earn points through various strikes: five points for a knockdown, three points for a 360-degree strike to the head, and one point for standard head strikes.
Unlike the flashy, acrobatic displays seen in other PFC matches, this heavyweight confrontation featured “two heavy big dudes” focusing on power and aggression. At one point, Kongo even attempted a 360-degree maneuver.
When asked about his preparation, Kongo acknowledged the unique training requirements compared to his traditional MMA regimen, which typically spans several months.
The event was featured as part of ESPN’s “The Ocho” programming – a nod to the 2004 comedy film “Dodgeball” – which showcases unconventional sports competitions. For these two combat sports icons, it represented an opportunity to compete against each other.
