Report: Hendricks-Lombard targeted for UFC Halifax
Johny Hendricks' middleweight debut is reportedly in the works.
A date between "Bigg Rigg" and Hector Lombard is being targeted for UFC Fight Night 105 - scheduled for Feb. 19 in Halifax, Nova Scotia - MMAFighting's Ariel Helwani reports. The booking comes three weeks after Hendricks fell to Neil Magny in his last fight at 170 pounds at UFC 207.
The 33-year-old announced his designs on moving to 185 pounds prior to suffering his third straight loss, and gets another former welterweight in Lombard as the first test in his newly adopted division. The 38-year-old Lombard is coming off back-to-back knockout losses and was originally scheduled to face Brad Tavares at UFC on FOX 23 on Jan. 28 before pulling out with an injury.
The short-notice matchup was previously targeted for Feb. 11 at UFC 208 in Brooklyn, but clearance issues with the New York State Athletic Commission hindered its inclusion to the 14-fight card, according to Helwani.
UFC Fight Night 105 is currently without a main event, as Stefan Struve recently pulled out of a heavyweight headliner opposite Junior dos Santos with a torn shoulder labrum. It is unknown whether Hendricks' middleweight debut will serve as the card's marquee matchup.