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Hector Lombard has paired up with famed nutritionist Mike Dolce and will attempt to reignite his stalled mixed martial arts (MMA) career by moving to a new weight class, but only after he goes under the knife to repair a broken nose.
According to a report by Ariel Helwani on Tuesday's (April 9, 2013) edition of "UFC Tonight" on FUEL TV, "Lightning" is considering a departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight division in favor of a move to welterweight.
"I spoke to Lombard today and he's about to work with Mike (Dolce) because he wants to get leaner," Helwani said. "He walks around at 205 and he feels that at his height, it's not really at his best interest to be fighting at 185. He knows the UFC wants him to go down.
"First thing's first, he needs to have nose surgery. He broke his nose fighting Yushin Okami so the surgery is coming up next for him -- hopefully next week. After that, he's going to focus on that cut down to 170."
Even though Lombard (32-4-1, 1 NC) doesn't believe it's physically possible for him to make 170-pounds, the 35-year-old will apparently give it a shot regardless.
The Cuban suffered the injury in his last fight, a unanimous decision defeat to top 185-pound contender Yushin Okami at UFC on FUEL TV 8 last month. The loss dropped the former Bellator champion to 1-2 under the UFC banner and left many questions surrounding his future.
Even Lombard thought he was possibly on the chopping block.
He ultimately avoided the axe. And now like many MMA fighters, Lombard seems to believe the solution to his problems is a fresh start at a new weight class.
When news surfaced last week that the Judoka had enlisted the services of Dolce -- who works with the likes of Chael Sonnen, Thiago Alves and many more -- Lombard downplayed a potential move down to welterweight. It appears he is now officially going to give it a go.
Can he cut it?
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