UFC Signs Former Bellator Champion Hector Lombard

The UFC middleweight division got a little deeper earlier this week when the UFC announced the addition of Hector Lombard. Lombard (31-2-1) is the former Bellator Middleweight Champion and is undefeated since 2006.

Lombard was one of the most recognizable fighters in Bellator. He joined Bellator in the promotions' inaugural season in 2009. Lombard stormed through the middleweight tournament, winning all three of his fights by knockout, eventually wining the middleweight title in June of 2009 with a fourth-round TKO victory over Jared Hess.

Lombard is know for his explosive knockout power and superior striking skills. Lombard has fined seven of his last eight fights, with six knockout in that span. Lombard holds the records for fastest knockout in Bellator history with his six second knockout of Jay Silva at Bellator 18.

The options for Lombard in the UFC are limited at least right away, as possibly the top six middleweights in the UFC are all booked for upcoming fights. Chael Sonnen challenges Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight TItle at UFC 148 on July 7th. Top contenders Chis Weidman and Mark Munoz clash on July 11th at UFC on FUEL TV 4, and coming up on May 5th, Alan Betcher and Rousimar Palhares battle on UFC on FOX 2

I think a perfect matchup for Lombard's octagon debut is Brian Stann. Stann is one of the best middleweights in the UFC and is coming off an impressive TKO victory over Alessio Sakara. Stann is the former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion and has won four of his last five fights in the UFC. Both men are standup specialists with extreme power and skill on their feet.

UFC fans are in for a treat whoever Lombard faces. He is a powerful fighter that can end a fight anytime. While Lombard's level of competition is questionable but his knockout power can make him a problem for the top middleweights in the world.

Here the full fight video of Hector Lombard's six second KO of Jay Silva. Courtesy of Bellator MMA