Jake Shields vs. Hector Lombard added to UFC 171 in Dallas
A welterweight battle has been added to UFC 171 as former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields looks to extend his four fight unbeaten streak as he faces new 170-pound contender Hector Lombard on March 15 in Dallas.
UFC officials confirmed the new bout on Twitter this morning via ESPN.com.
Added to #UFC171: @jakeshieldsajj vs @HectorLombard http://t.co/NrupJimcp9
— UFC News (@UFCNews) December 8, 2013
Jake Shields (29-6-1-1) has been itching to get back to the top of the welterweight division ever since rededicating himself to the weight class earlier this year. The grappling ace from California had flirted with the idea of fighting at middleweight, but after only one appearance in the weight class while fighting in the UFC in 2012, Shields opted to move back down to welterweight and it's been a great decision thus far.
Shields is 2-0 since dropping back to welterweight with wins over both Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia to get back into the top ten as he looks to earn another shot at the title in the near future.
His opponent at UFC 171 will be former Bellator champion and new welterweight Hector Lombard, who makes his second appearance at 170 pounds after a blistering debut where he disposed of former Strikeforce champion Nate Marquardt back in October.
At 5'9", Lombard was an undersized middleweight, but now he's finally got size on his side after making the cut to welterweight and he looks to impose his will on Shields and get that much closer to the top of the division.
