Tim Boetsch: 'Knocking out Hector Lombard at UFC 149 proves I'm next in line for a middleweight title shot'

A number of mixed martial arts (MMA) fans (and pundits) think Hector Lombard could be next in line for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight title, currently held by the seemingly-invincible Anderson Silva, who recently dispatched Chael Sonnen at UFC 148 earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Not Tim Boetsch.

"The Barbarian," who's been tasked with welcoming "Shango" to the Octagon at the UFC 149: "Faber vs. Barao" pay-per-view (PPV) event this Saturday night (July 21, 2012) at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, thinks otherwise (via MMA Fighting).

"Knocking out Hector Lombard proves I'm next in line for a middleweight title shot. Honestly, I don't mind flying under the radar. I like coming into these fights as the underdog. I know Hector's the favorite and that's fine by me. I like surprising people. I think this fight with Hector is gonna streamline my path to the title."

Since dropping to middleweight in early 2011, Boetsch (15-4) has rattled off three straight wins inside the division. That includes a technical knockout (TKO) win over former 185-pound number one contender Yushin Okami at the UFC 144 event last February in Japan.

Hear the former light heavyweight state his case for earning a 185-pound title shot after the jump.

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