Hector Lombard vs. Jake Shields slated for UFC 171 in Dallas

After telling MMAjunkie he wanted a fight with fellow welterweight Jake Shields (29-6-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC), Hector Lombard (33-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) received his wish.

UFC officials recently announced the bout, via ESPN.com, for UFC 171.

UFC 171 takes place March 15 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The main card, featuring a light heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and MMAjunkie. Lombard vs. Shields likely will be part of the main card.

This past week, Lombard said he might be able to force the “boring” Shields into a good bout.

“I think he’s been so boring and me always trying for the KO, it’s going to be exciting,” Lombard said. “He’ll make it boring, or I’m going to end up knocking him out. It’s going to be one or another.”

Lombard, a former Bellator middleweight champ, recently moved his UFC record to .500 with a first-round knockout of ex-Strikeforce champion Nate Marquardt at UFC 166. The bout, which followed split-decision defeats to Tim Boetsch and Yushin Okami, marked the hard-hitting former Olympic judoka’s debut at welterweight after a long run at 185 pounds.

Shields, a former Strikeforce middleweight champ who unsuccessfully vied for the UFC welterweight title in 2011, has won his past four fights, though one was overturned due to a failed drug test (due to an undisclosed drug). However, since that no-contest with Ed Herman, the grappler has earned split-decision victories over Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia.

With the addition of the new bout, the UFC 171 card now includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira – for light heavyweight title
• Hector Lombard vs. Jake Shields
• Ovince St. Preux vs. Thiago Silva
• Bubba McDaniel vs. Tor Troeng

For the latest on UFC 171, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Jake Shields)