Melvin Guillard: Understimated in the UFC Lightweight Division No More

Underestimated

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it as regarding something or someone as less capable than they really are. Well, if Melvin Guillard fit that category going into Saturday night, underestimate him no more.

Guillard made short work of rising lightweight contender Evan Dunham at UFC Fight For The Troops 2, becoming the first to ever stop the burgeoning 155-pound fighter from Oregon. In doing so, Guillard raised his own stock to Top 10 potential with title aspirations in the coming year.

“Guys underestimate me,” Guillard said following his latest win. “When you put in your time, and I put in my time whether it was good or bad, even the losses. I learn from losses. I was 22-0 before I lost my first fight, (it) crushed me. I go in there now and I still feel like I’m 19-years-old; I still feel young, I’m only 27. I still have a long road ahead of me.

“It’s going to be tough. My division is the best division. It’s the best division in the UFC and it’s stacked, and I’m looking to have a war.”

Needless to say, Guillard isn’t shy when it comes to telling people what it is he wants.

“Honestly, I feel like I should be next in line,” he stated about a title shot. “It’s been a long time coming. I know there’s guys like (Anthony) Pettis and they have to unify the belt, he’s a great fighter too. I’m pretty sure he’ll get the next shot at it, but it doesn’t matter. Like I told Joe Silva and Dana (White) and them, I don’t want to sit around and wait on the belt. I want to keep fighting. That was the way I came up, that’s why I have over 100 fights.”

Other fighters have opted to sit out or wait when an opportunity may be just around the corner, but if that’s the way for some other fighters it’s not the way for Melvin Guillard. He has high expectations for himself and after Saturday night’s performance, he’s scraping the sky.

“I don’t like sitting out, I don’t even like waiting three months to fight. I liked to fight tonight, and fight again on the Vegas card that coming up for the Super Bowl if you guys find a spot for me. Just letting you know, hint-hint, wink-wink,” Guillard said.

“I’m going to make my run, this is my dream. I have a legacy and at the end of the day, I have a great story to tell one day, when I’m an old man, I’ll have a novel written and I’ll have a legacy, and that’s part of my legacy to fulfill. I will get the belt.”

Since working with coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, Guillard’s career has gone through a metamorphosis. Gone are the days of the brash young kid who said he could never be beaten and got by on pure talent alone.

Now Melvin Guillard has been crafted into one of the most dangerous fighters at 155 pounds. A lightning bolt on the feet who strikes like a cobra with infinite precision. If there are doubters left for what Guillard is capable of doing just ask Evan Dunham about that.

Guillard has already stated he will fly back to New Mexico on Sunday and get right back into training with his teammates, and wait for the call from the UFC to let him know who the next person is that will underestimate him in the cage. If that truly is the case, Guillard will likely rack up another impressive win.