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

By FCF Staff

After making a trial cut to 170 pounds, former Bellator middleweight champ Hector Lombard will reportedly make his welterweight debut against Nate Marquardt, October 19th at UFC 166. The event will be hosted by Houston’s Toyota Center.

The bout is being reported by multiple sources; however, the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Lombard (32-4-1) has gone 1-2 since joining the UFC last year, after putting together a remarkable 25 fight undefeated run. Lombard has incurred split decision losses to Tim Boetsch and Yushin Okami in the Octagon, and the Judoka stopped Rousimar Palhares at UFC on FX 6 in December.

Marquardt (32-12-2) is coming off a decision loss to Tarec Saffiedine and more recently a knockout defeat versus Jake Ellenberger, which took place in his Octagon return at UFC 158.

Last July, the former middleweight contender knocked out Tyron Woodley to win Strikeforce’s welterweight belt.

UFC 166 will be headlined by a rubber match between heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez and former champ Junior dos Santos.