Bellator Champ Hector Lombard to UFC

Major acquisition.

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Update: Dana White confirmed Lombard's signing on Twitter. 

According to MMAFighting.com's Mike Chiappetta, Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard is UFC-bound. 

Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney confirmed the news on Tuesday afternoon. 

Since December 2006, Lombard hasn't lost in 25 MMA bouts and ends his Bellator campaign at 8-0 (seven knockouts) with an overall professional record of 31-2-1 (1). Bellator had the right to match whatever offer Lombard received after his contract expired. 

After years of seeking respect from MMA media and fans, Lombard now has a chance to showcase his heavy hands and decorated Judo background on the sport's biggest stage. 

Last season's Bellator middleweight tournament winner Alexander Shlemenko (who is recovering from a broken collarbone after a car accident in Russia) and the winner of this season's tournament (Maiquel Falcao or Andreas Spang) are expected to fight for the soon-to-be vacant title at a future date. 

Check out our interview w/ Hector Lombard, who talks about feeling underappreciated: