UFC Injury Bug Bites Another; Michael Bisping Out, Hector Lombard in at UFC 149

Speculation was rampant earlier today as news of Brian Stann's injury meant Hector Lombard would need a new opponent to welcome him to the UFC's Octagon. Lombard found his new welcome committee in Tim Boetsch at UFC 149.

The UFC's official website has released the information that Michael Bisping has been injured and has been forced to back out of his fight with Boetsch. Lombard will now be bumped up to a PPV broadcast in his UFC debut.

Lombard hasn't lost since he faced Gegard Mousasi back in 2006. He helped build Bellator from the ground up and debuted at Bellator 3. The Cuban won his first two bouts via KO in the opening frame and won Bellator's Middleweight Title via TKO in the tournament final.

He would go on to hold the Bellator belt until his departure from the company but competed in a number of catchweight and non-title bouts during his time in the promotion.

Boetsch, meanwhile, has rebuilt his career since dropping to 185 pounds following a loss to Phil Davis in 2010. Boetsch has won three consecutive bouts, with his latest being an incredible come-from-behind victory over former title contender Yushin Okami.

Boetsch is probably one of the strongest middleweights in the UFC right now, and Lombard is certainly no slouch himself. Both men have power and grappling skills to balance their attacks.

It will be a battle of wills when these two massive middleweights clash at UFC 149, and fight fans will finally have their questions about Lombard's place among the 185-pound elite answered, as Boetsch is a great test for the former Bellator champion.