Hector “Lightning” Lombard was labeled a bust after dominating the Bellator scene for over three years, only to lose a lackluster decision to Tim Boetsch at UFC 149 in July, his UFC debut.

The fact that Lombard claimed he fought the bout with a broken sternum did little to silence his critics and his opportunity to hang with the UFC’s elite seemed to have come and gone.

However, it came as little surprise that the 4th dan black belt in Judo got a second chance inside the Octagon. At UFC on FX 6 on Friday, the muscle-bound southpaw had a chance at redemption. This time, he had no problem seizing the opportunity.

Lombard methodically outstruck his equally stocky, powerful opponent, Rousimar Palhares, before scoring a violent TKO early in the first round.

Being a high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, many analysts felt it would be feasible for “Toquinho” to pull off a highlight reel worthy submission, but the fight was only on the ground long enough for Lombard to drop bombs on Palhares’ face.

With the victory, Lombard once again looked like the unstoppable striker (with serious grappling credentials) that tore through the Bellator ranks with ease. Dating back to Nov. 2006, the 34-year-old has now won 26 of his past 28 fights, with his sole loss coming at the hands of Boetsch.

In his post-fight interview, Lombard called out perennial contender Michael Bisping. There is only a very slight chance that actually happens, but with the impressive win, it’s time to throw Lombard another top 10 fighter.

For a fighter who entered the promotion with the massive hype train that he did, this isn’t a guy who needs a few fights to regroup or see where he stands within a middleweight division that isn’t particularly deep right now.

If Lombard can win two more fights, give him Anderson Silva, or whoever the UFC middleweight champion is at that time.