AUSTRALIAN welterweight Hector Lombard has called out UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, convinced the pair can help sell out Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium next year.

While UFC president Dana White is yet to officially announce UFC 193 for Australia in 2015, Lombard is already campaigning via social media for a spot on the blockbuster pay-per-view — last night retweeting The Daily Telegraph’s story with the line: “I want to be in that card!”

Defecting from Cuba following the 2000 Sydney Olympics, adopted Aussie Lombard also told Submission Radio on Monday night that, if he were not one of two title fights being rumoured for the event, then he should be matched against GSP.

I want to be in that card UFC!! Please Dana, Lorenzo Joe... http://t.co/a80vCbvo7g — Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) December 1, 2014

While the Canadian legend is currently retired, there are suggestions the former world champion will return to the Octagon in 2015.

“And if I can’t fight for the title for some reason in Melbourne, I really would love to fight GSP,’’ Lombard said.

“I know he’s coming out of retirement so I really would love to have a big fight between me and GSP in Australia. That would be a shocker, ey?

media_camera Hector Lombard wants to fight Georges St-Pierre.

“I can take a punch and my wrestling’s improving every day. So it’s going to be very hard for him to get me down. And my stand up, he’s got no chance with me.”

Lombard also threw his support behind the new Victorian Labor government’s decision to overturn the UFC ban, telling Submission Radio: “It’s the best news I’ve heard.”

“Out of all MMA fighters, I’m the one who has fought the most (in Australia). So I believe I need a chance to get to fight on the Victorian show.

“I’ve heard a lot of people saying that there’s not many Australians left that can fight for the title. Well you know ... I’m here.”

media_camera Georges St-Pierre has retired from the UFC, but it is rumoured he’ll return in 2015.

Lombard also urged both the media and Australian fight fans to lobby his cause with UFC boss White.

“This is one of the things that you guys should be pushing for,’’ he said.

“I’m here to represent Australia and ... it’s all up to you guys. I mean you are the ones that have to put pressure on. I understand none of the big names at 170 pounds wanted to fight me in the past cards, but there’s still a lot of fighters and I want to be seen on the Australia card.

“But it doesn’t depend on me for that one. It depends on you guys and how much pressure you guys put on the UFC so that they can have me back Down Under.”

Originally published as ‘Come fight me in Melbourne, Georges’