Melvin Guillard: Bellator sponsorship money 'sh-tting on UFC and WSOF'

Melvin Guillard

Melvin Guillard is in a unique position. He’s one of few fighters in the sport that’s signed contracts with North America’s three leading organizations.

“The Young Assassin” had a more than eight-year tenure with the UFC that ended in early 2014. Afterward he fought twice for WSOF, and now he’s a member of the Bellator roster.

Guillard (32-14-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is set to make his promotional debut at Bellator 141 on Aug. 28 at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. He meets Brandon Girtz (11-4 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) in a lightweight headliner, which tops the Spike TV-televised main card following prelims on MMAjunkie.

With the fight quickly approaching, Guillard is finalizing preparation in the gym, but also making sure his affairs are in order on the business side. That includes securing sponsorships for the main event bout.

The UFC’s fighter apparel agreement with Reebok has been a hot topic in recent months. Guillard graced the octagon 22 times during his UFC career, which would have put him in the top tier for sponsorship payout at $20,000 per fight.

Bellator, however, does not have an exclusive partnership with a brand like Reebok. That means Guillard is free to secure any sponsors he’d like. The effect of that freedom is noticeable, he said, because Guillard claims the money going into his pocket for Bellator 141 is greater than what he’d get in the UFC or what he received for his WSOF appearances.

“The sponsorships are sh-tting on UFC and WSOF, as of right now,” Guillard told MMAjunkie. “It’s blowing them out of the water right now. It’s definitely blowing them out of the water. My agent is still working on that right now. I’m two weeks out from my fight and I still have deals on the table right now that haven’t been officially signed yet. As far as people actually wanting to be behind me, and that’s coming off a loss and not making weight, there’s lots. People still are in my corner.”

Guillard would not reveal the financial specifics of his sponsorship situation, but said he was pleased he’s not required to wear just one brand as he would in the UFC. Guillard said he has no ill will toward Reebok, but the lack of restrictions in Bellator are important because his goal is to make the most money possible before his career ends.

The 32-year-old has been a professional fighter since his November 2002 debut. Guillard has 50 fights on his official record, but he claims to have competed in nearly 200 bouts since his early teens.

Guillard has gone through several phases in his career. The Bellator phase is about fighting as much as possible and making the most money possible, he said. It’s difficult to predict when a fighter will be forced to hang up their gloves and Guillard wants to ensure financial security for his family before that time comes.

He said Bellator gives him the best opportunity to do just that.

“I just turned 32 this year and I’m just hitting my prime, but I am getting older; for me right now it’s about making money,” Guillard said. “Bellator is giving me the opportunity to make a lot of money. I’ll take a quote from (Floyd) Mayweather when he said, ‘I’m a prize fighter and I fight for money.’ You can quote me on that. I’m a prizefighter – I fight to make a living. I’ve been doing this for 22 years and I’ve made some decent money, but I haven’t made any great money.

“Right now I have the opportunity to make a lot of great money, not just through Bellator, but through things like endorsements that were taken away from us in the UFC. Things I couldn’t get while I was in World Series because most people don’t know what that organization is. For me, being with Bellator, Bellator is a household name just as big, if not bigger than UFC. They’re right up there and getting a lot of attention not only from fans but also from the fighters who don’t want to be in the UFC anymore. They come to Bellator because the money is right.”

Guillard has yet to make his Bellator debut, but already he’s mapped out his plan for the future. He said he wants to deliver a highlight-reel knockout against Girtz and Bellator 141 then make a quick turnaround. Guillard said he’s happy with his Bellator contract and hopes to fight three times by January and earn as many paydays as possible.

“My plan with Bellator is I want to fight every two months,” Guillard said. “That’s just enough time for them to promote me on a card and I don’t have to be the main event if I don’t need to be. I don’t have to be co-main event. I can be the first fight of the night. Any position you can put me in, people are going to tune in to watch me. It doesn’t matter. For me it’s about collecting these paychecks.”

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