Australian MMA fighter Hector Lombard has decided to drop down to the welterweight division after a so-so UFC campaign in the middleweight division. But looking at the talents roaming in the 77 kilogram weights class, Lombard's decision might be a good move career-wise for the short, power punching fighter. Yet again, the road to the top won't be easy at all.

Lombard, who has a solitary win in three UFC fights as 84-kilogramme fighter, will try his luck in a division owned by one of the greatest MMA fighter of All-Time: George St. Pierre. Unfortunately for him, a title shot proves a long way to go because he suddenly found himself in a division stocked with elite talents from top to bottom.

Before any chance of fighting GSP, Lombard has to overcome a bevy of up-and-coming welterweight stars such as Jake Ellenberger and Johny Hendricks, along with the gritty veterans such as Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann.

Still, Lombard is expected to further heat up the competition in the welterweight class. Before his stint at the UFC, Lombard was a former Bellator middleweight champion with 31 career victories and only two losses. Despite fighting way bigger opponents in three UFC fights, Lombard still held his ground and pushed every match to the limit.

It will be intriguing to see Lombard fighting in a lighter weight class where his 5-foot-9, 185-pound won't be longer a disadvantage. So far, MMA veteran Nate Marquardt (32-12-2 MMA, 10-5 UFC) is rumoured to be Lombard's first welterweight opponent, though nothing is official.