Lombard signs with the UFC

[thewinfella]

Longtime Bellator champion Hector Lombard (31-2-1 MMA, 8-0 BFC) has officially signed with the UFC.

The 185-pound standout today announced the news via Twitter.

UFC president Dana White had expressed interest in the Cuban-Australian fighter, who recently fulfilled the terms of his Bellator contract after an 8-0 stint in the organization that's part of an overall 24-0-1 run in his past 25 outings.

Lombard didn't disclosed a debut date or opponent, and UFC officials haven't formally announced his signing. However, Bellator was in a matching period with the fighter, and according to MMAFighting.com, Bellator CEO and Chairman declined to match a lucrative UFC deal that includes pay-per-view bonuses for Lombard. (Only the UFC's top talent gets such PPV deals.)

With Lombard vacating the title, No. 1 contender Alexander Shlemenko will fight the winner of the current season-six middleweight tournament for the belt.

The UFC nearly brought the 34-year-old Lombard into the fold in 2007, but visa issues halted the possible debut at UFC 78. He's since fought primarily for Bellator and regional promotions in Australia. With Bellator, he he won a season-one tournament, made one title defense, and also won four non-title fights after winning the belt.

While losing a top fighter such as Lombard is a hit for Bellator, the organization's business model doesn't allow it to truly capitalize on big-name talent. Instead, the tournament format and newly discovered (read: inexpensive) regional and international talent are the star attractions.

Additionally, Bellator has struggled to find quality competition for highly ranked fights such as Lombard, and with the organization's move from the little-watched MTV2 to the bigger Spike TV delayed until 2013, most of their plans are geared toward the future, not the present.

[Flea Man]

Brian Stann is the obvious choice

[achillesthegreat]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

Brian Stann is the obvious choice

Serious violence will occur. Stann can punch.

[Flea Man]

And can take one. And so can Lombard. Violence is the right word.

[Flea Man]

Match the winner up with winner of Belcher-Palhares. Boo-ya! A legitimate and interesting challenger for Anderson is born

[Lefthooktommy]

Ed Herman would make sense if Stann isn't available

[Flea Man]

Now that is a very nice pick. A well-rounded, dangerous and tough guy as well. Herman has looked nasty since coming back. Lombard is just nasty, general.

[Beouche]

Palhares would be great but cant see the UFC risking getting their new toy crippled in his first fight

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Beouche

Palhares would be great but cant see the UFC risking getting their new toy crippled in his first fight

Palhares isnt new to the UFC

[Flea Man]

Thing is with Paul Harris is either he'll get wasted early or will latch onto a leg and make the bully scream. I only wanna' see it if Toquinho beats Belcher (very intriguing fight IMO and hard to call personally) and Lombard beats a top-rated guy first.

Eddie Alvarez seems pretty desperate to fight again soon so the 're-negotiating' process can start quicker. I can see him going over pretty soon as well.

All we need now is Pat Curran

[afterglow]

I think they should give him a mid level guy that is a good style matchup to hype him a little.

He's never beaten a top ten and hasn't exactly been fighting top competition lately.

I'd love to see him fight Leben when he comes back.

[Stoo]

I was thinking Leben aswell, when is he back?

[rusty nails]

i thought maybe akiyama or maia would be good matchups but both have gone to welter havent they?

[Stoo]

Yep both are at WW

[Flea Man]

Shame Bisping is fighting Boestch now.