Hector Lombard has a new opponent, but he won’t be fighting on Aug. 4.
UFC officials announced late Wednesday evening that the former Bellator Fighting Championships middleweight king will face Tim Boetsch at UFC 149 in Calgary on July 21. Michael Bisping was originally slated to face “The Barbarian” on the card, the “Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner was forced to withdraw from the contest due to an injury suffered while training. It was the latest in a long string of injury woes for the Las Vegas-based promotion, which recently lost Brian Stann -- Lombard’s initial matchup -- to an undisclosed injury earlier Wednesday.
UFC 149 takes place at the Scotiabank Saddledome and is expected to be headlined by a featherweight title tilt between reigning champion Jose Aldo and Erik Koch; also on the bill is a heavyweight clash pitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira against Cheick Kongo.
Lombard enters his UFC debut riding a 25-fight unbeaten streak. The 34-year-old Cuban went unbeaten in eight Bellator appearances, most recently besting Trevor Prangley at Bellator 58 in November. The American Top Team representative owns notable victories over Alexander Shlemenko, Brian Ebersole, James Te Huna and Joe Doerksen, among others.
After posting a 3-3 mark to begin his Octagon career as a light heavyweight, Boetsch has appeared rejuvenated since dropping to 185 pounds prior to UFC 130, defeating Kendall Grove, Nick Ring and Yushin Okami in his first three middleweight bouts.
UFC officials announced late Wednesday evening that the former Bellator Fighting Championships middleweight king will face Tim Boetsch at UFC 149 in Calgary on July 21. Michael Bisping was originally slated to face “The Barbarian” on the card, the “Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner was forced to withdraw from the contest due to an injury suffered while training. It was the latest in a long string of injury woes for the Las Vegas-based promotion, which recently lost Brian Stann -- Lombard’s initial matchup -- to an undisclosed injury earlier Wednesday.
UFC 149 takes place at the Scotiabank Saddledome and is expected to be headlined by a featherweight title tilt between reigning champion Jose Aldo and Erik Koch; also on the bill is a heavyweight clash pitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira against Cheick Kongo.
Lombard enters his UFC debut riding a 25-fight unbeaten streak. The 34-year-old Cuban went unbeaten in eight Bellator appearances, most recently besting Trevor Prangley at Bellator 58 in November. The American Top Team representative owns notable victories over Alexander Shlemenko, Brian Ebersole, James Te Huna and Joe Doerksen, among others.
After posting a 3-3 mark to begin his Octagon career as a light heavyweight, Boetsch has appeared rejuvenated since dropping to 185 pounds prior to UFC 130, defeating Kendall Grove, Nick Ring and Yushin Okami in his first three middleweight bouts.
UFC 149 - July 21/Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Canada
Jose Aldo vs. Erik Koch (Featherweight Title Fight)
Cheick Kongo vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Hector Lombard vs. Tim Boetsch
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Chris Clements
Bibiano Fernandes vs. Roland Delorme
Claude Patrick vs. James Head
Mitch Clarke vs. Anton Kuivanen
Court McGee vs. Nick Ring
Brian Caraway vs. Mitch Gagnon
George Roop vs. Antonio Carvalho
Ryan Jimmo vs. Anthony Perosh