According to MMAFighting.com, Melvin Guillard has been released from the UFC on the heels of his UFC Fight Night 37 loss to Michael Johnson.
That fight marked Guillard's 22nd trip into the UFC Octagon, but the veteran lightweight combatant failed to deliver and his bosses severed ties with him.
Never thought I'd see the day Melvin Guillard was released from the UFC. Suspect he won't be on the market very long.
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) March 21, 2014
Guillard was 12-9-1 during his UFC career. While he strung together five consecutive wins from February 2010 to July 2011, he faltered against Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 in October 2011, which kept him out of title talks and crushed his chance to become a UFC champion.
Such was the career of Melvin Guillard.
Just when it looked like he had turned a corner and established himself as a legitimate lightweight contender, he would get caught by a superior foe.
In nine losses, Guillard lost only twice via decision, a product of his lack of focus and, ultimately, his poor submission defense.
| Fighter | Event | Method |
| Josh Neer | UFC Fight Night 3 | Submission (Triangle Choke), Round 1 |
| Joe Stevenson | UFC Fight Night 9 | Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 1 |
| Rich Clementi | UFC 79 | Submission (Rear-naked Choke), Round 1 |
| Nate Diaz | UFC Fight Night 19 | Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 2 |
| Joe Lauzon | UFC 136 | Submission (Rear-naked Choke), Round 1 |
| Jim Millard | UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller | Submission (Rear-naked Choke), Round 1 |
| Donald Cerrone | UFC 150 | KO (Head kick and punch), Round 1 |
| Jamie Varner | UFC 155 | Split decision |
| Michael Johnson | UFC Fight Night 37 | Unanimous Decision |
Sherdog Fight Finder
Fans and critics often cited Guillard as one of the most fearsome lightweights on the planet—if he could just turn all of his potential into actual productivity.
After 22 fights, it appears the UFC has decided that a near nine-year stretch is plenty of time for a fighter to showcase his worth. The organization decided that its future plans do not involve "The Young Assassin."
Guillard's manager, Malki Kawa, commented on his fighter's release. "We're working to get him signed somewhere else. I'm going to do what's best for Melvin," he said.
With devastating knockout power (20 of his 31 victories have come via knockout), Guillard will undoubtedly establish himself as a star wherever he lands.
The most likely promotions, Bellator and the World Series of Fighting, each possess a solid roster of lightweights and Guillard could soon be matched up against the likes of Michael Chandler in Bellator or Justin Gaethje in WSOF.
While the news is unfortunate for UFC veteran Guillard, his future—should he desire to continue—contains plenty of challenges ahead.
Wherever he goes, the future looks good for Guillard, as Kawa recently tweeted:
Phone hasn't stopped ringing this morning from all these promotions in ref to @Young__Assassin
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) March 21, 2014
Where would you like to see Guillard end up? Who would you like to see him fight?
