Hector Lombard hitting Rousimar Palhares (photo via UFC / ZUFFA)

By FCF Staff

Hector Lombard lived up to the buzz that accompanied his welterweight debut in October, by quickly knocking out Nate Marquardt at UFC 166, and an impressive win on Saturday will only heighten the hype. The former Bellator middleweight champ is set to face renowned grappler Jake Shields at UFC 171, and if Lombard defeats the #6 ranked welterweight, he expects to shoot up the rankings.

In a recent interview with UFC.com, here is what Lombard (33-4-1) had to say, while discussing what’s on the line in his next scrap.

“If I beat Jake Shields, I’ll consider myself in the title picture,” said Lombard. “You’re talking about a guy (in Shields) who beat the biggest names in the sport. I know he’s boring, but he can’t beat you with his boringness, right? I don’t underestimate him or his boringness, and I don’t want to take him lightly. If you see the fight with GSP (Georges St-Pierre), he actually hurt him a couple times, and that fight was quite even, so beating Jake Shields will put me where I want to be.”

Since his quick stoppage loss to Jake Ellenberger in 2011, Shields (29-6-1) has re-established himself as a top contender by putting together a four fight, undefeated streak. Most recently, at UFC FN 29 in October, Shields earned a split decision win over Demian Maia.