On Monday Bellator Fighting Championships confirmed the signing of former UFC and World Series of Fighting competitor, Melvin Guillard. At 32-years-old with 50 fights to his name, there are question marks attached to the acquisition. How much does Guillard have left in the tank? How will he fare against the best in one of Bellator’s strongest divisions?
At this time no fight has been announced for Guillard, but Bellator’s press release assured us that a date and opponent will be announced for him in the near future. There are a number of mouthwatering possibilities, so here is our look at who might be being lined up for Guillard’s Bellator debut.
EASING HIM IN GENTLY
When Bellator have bought in recognized fighters in the past, it has not been uncommon for them to give them a very winnable first fight. Having won just twice in his last seven encounters, Guillard could use a win.
When Paul Daley was signed during the Bjorn Rebney era, his first opponent was Rudy Bears. When he returned to the promotion under Coker he faced the over-matched Andre Santos. Guillard is a similar signing, thus may be afforded a similar luxury. Do not be surprised to see Guillard debut on the main card of an upcoming event against a beatable journeyman, possibly someone not currently under Bellator contract.
Lloyd Woodard has lost five of his last seven fights, but is known to Bellator audiences. An October 14th bout with Danny White under the GCMMA banner was cancelled and his highlight-reel submission of Patricky “Pitbull” Freire at Bellator 62 in 2012 would help hype the fight.
The alternative may be to go for a similar, rather than exact luxury. When you have made a big deal of a multi-fight, multi-year deal such as Bellator have with the signing of Guillard, many fans will expect you to debut them against someone a level above the Rudy Bears’ and Lloyd Woodards of the world.
Rob Sinclair returned to the cage in April of this year, dropping a decision to Saad Awad at Bellator 136 and presents such a challenge. Guillard would be expected to beat the former BAMMA Lightweight Champion, but the level of competition provided would make for a more interesting fight.
SHOOTING FOR THE TOP
Bellator President Scott Coker has made it clear that under his direction, the company are committed to making entertaining fights that people want to see. The top end of Bellator’s lightweight division is packed with fighters that would give fans exactly that, were they matched up with Guillard.
While Michael Chandler is already tied up with Derek Campos at Bellator 138 on June 19, there are other available fights that could catapult Guillard into title contention.
Derek Anderson has lost just once in 13 professional outings and has gone 3-1 in Bellator. Anderson beat Danny Navarro back in January and would serve as a notable test en route to a title shot.
Anderson’s only defeat came against Marcin Held at Bellator 117 in April of last year. Held is on a six fight win streak that culminated with an impressive victory in a one-sided fight against Alexander Sarnavskiy at Bellator 136 last month. His submission threat would provide a unique test, with the winner almost certainly moving on to fight for the lightweight title.
Me vs Melvin Guillard. It would be fireworks!!! @BellatorMMA @rich_chou @jgjoia @MatheusDCAquino @PatricioPitbull @ScottCoker @Mikekogan88
— Patricky Freire (@PatrickyPitbull) May 5, 2015
Another of Bellator’s home grown talents, Patricky “Pitbull” Freire, might be the perfect opponent. While Bellator were making their name Patricky, along with his younger brother Patricio, became one of of the promotion’s earlier standouts. He has already called out Guillard and suggested the fight, and he’s right, should the two be matched up fans would expect fireworks in the cage. Freire provides a notable name, at least in Bellator terms, an exciting fighting style, and is a more beatable opponent then Held or Anderson.
When you start to then throw in other names such as the aforementioned Alexander “Tiger” Sarnavskiy, and recent title challenger Dave Jansen, Guillard could well find himself just one fight away from a title shot when his Bellator debut is announced.
IMMEDIATE TITLE CONTENTION
Don’t disregard the possibility of Guillard being thrust straight into a shot at Will Brooks lightweight championship either. The Scott Coker era is proving to be a very different proposition to that of his predecessor, Bjorn Rebney.
While win/loss records still count for something, fighters are not expected to go on the same long winning streaks they were under the tournament structure that existed previously. If Coker believes a fight makes sense from a business standpoint, he is going to make it.
Just look at Kendall Grove’s upcoming middleweight title opportunity against Brandon Halsey at Bellator 137 this month. Grove has gone 2-1 since signing with Bellator, and has gone 3-4 in his last seven overall.
While it is perhaps the most unlikely of the discussed scenarios at this point, would anyone be completely shocked if Scott Coker were to announce that Brooks’ next title defense was against Melvin Guillard in July or August?
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