UFC News: Dana White Announces Hector Lombard vs. Brian Stann

Former Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard recently signed with the UFC and it looks like he's already got his first fight.

After a fan tweeted UFC President Dana White, "Hector Lombard vs. Brian Stann?", White responded, "yup."

Though this does not qualify as an official announcement, it's a good sign that the bout is close to being signed. White rarely tips his hand unless he's sure a fight is going to happen.

This bout has all the makings of a "Fight of the Year" contender, given that both men are primarily stand up fighters and are known for their knockout power. Lombard does have a 4th Dan black belt in Judo and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but rarely decides to bring fights to the mat.

Lombard has not been defeated since 2006 and is riding a 26-fight unbeaten streak. Stann is coming off a first-round knockout victory over Alessio Sakara at UFC on Fuel TV 2.

Both men are marketable fighters in a weight class that lacks contenders, so it's likely that this fight will have a serious impact on the middleweight title picture.

MMA fans will be excited to finally see Lombard in the Octagon. For years, he has been considered one of the best fighters outside the UFC, but the competition he's been competing against has been less than world-class.

Soon enough fans will know if Lombard has what it takes to compete the best middleweights in the world.

The date for this fight has not yet been set.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report as more on this story develops.

Andrew Barr is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and stand-up comedian. Check him out on Twitter @AndrewBarr8.