Rory MacDonald vs. Hector Lombard in early talks for 2016 fight
It looks like Hector Lombard might get his wish when he returns to action in 2016 as preliminary talks have started to match up the former Olympian with Rory MacDonald in a featured welterweight bout next year.
According to a report via UFC Tonight, the fighters are both on board with the matchup but it's still very early in the process to actually making the bout official.
Lombard has been itching to fight MacDonald for quite some time, but he's also not eligible to return until at least January after he was suspended for a year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for using a prohibited substance during his last fight against Josh Burkman at UFC 182.
Lombard's suspension will be up on Jan. 3, 2016, and that will allow him to get booked for another fight in the UFC.
As for MacDonald, it would be his first trip to the Octagon since losing a heartbreaker to current welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 189 in July.
MacDonald had a great showing in his first shot at a UFC title but after nearly finishing Lawler at two different points during the championship affair, he eventually lost by TKO in the fifth round following a hard-fought battle.
MacDonald would climb right back into the deep end of the division if he faces Lombard in early 2016.
For now the fight is still just in discussion, but it seems both MacDonald and Lombard are on board for the matchup if the UFC wants to make it official.
