Melvin Guillard: It was "just business" leaving Jackson's MMA
Posted on August 10, 2012, 12:39 PM by Mike Drahota
When Melvin Guillard enters the Octagon on Saturday night, his mindset will not be that of just any ordinary fight. The UFC Lightweight will be facing his former teammate and friend, Donald Cerrone, with his former coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn in the opposing corner. It is well known by now that Guillard decided to change up his training and switch teams, heading to the home of the Blackzilians in Florida. While this may be mentally daunting and draining for some people, Guillard is taking it all in stride. On Thursday, he commented on the unique situation, courtesy of Fightline.com:
"It's like being in the NFL. Coach Greg will be like (New England head coach) Bill Belichick, and my coaches right now would be like (New Orleans head coach) Sean Peyton. We are going to go in and see who can get out-coached."
An interesting analogy for an interesting match-up, one that most fans and experts are picking Cerrone to win wholeheartedly. Guillard has always been a bit of an enigma in the Octagon, amassing highlight-level wins but then also appearing unfocused and losing as a heavy favorite his next time out. Melvin Guillard at his best is a special fighter-a rare breed of speed, power, and technique that cannot be taught. That version is the only version that will come out victorious on Saturday, as there will be no margin for error. The winner should find themselves sitting pretty in the Lightweight division, perhaps set to face Anthony Pettis upon his return for a perceived number one contender's spot. Still, amidst all the hype and speculation, Guillard remains calm, and continued on:
"I'm actually enjoying it. My present coaches and my former coaches will all be there at one time coaching theboth of us. It will kind of be like being coached by coach Greg again; sort of a homecoming feel. It was just business. I have a great relationship will all those guys."
Guillard appears levelheaded going into UFC 150 in Denver. Will this serve to help or hurt him come Saturday? Which Melvin Guillard will we see versus Donald Cerrone? The best version could win via knockout, any other could find another slide down the rankings.
When Melvin Guillard enters the Octagon on Saturday night, his mindset will not be that of just any ordinary fight. The UFC Lightweight will be facing his former teammate and friend, Donald Cerrone, with his former coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn in the opposing corner. It is well known by now that Guillard decided to change up his training and switch teams, heading to the home of the Blackzilians in Florida. While this may be mentally daunting and draining for some people, Guillard is taking it all in stride. On Thursday, he commented on the unique situation, courtesy of Fightline.com:
"It's like being in the NFL. Coach Greg will be like (New England head coach) Bill Belichick, and my coaches right now would be like (New Orleans head coach) Sean Peyton. We are going to go in and see who can get out-coached."
An interesting analogy for an interesting match-up, one that most fans and experts are picking Cerrone to win wholeheartedly. Guillard has always been a bit of an enigma in the Octagon, amassing highlight-level wins but then also appearing unfocused and losing as a heavy favorite his next time out. Melvin Guillard at his best is a special fighter-a rare breed of speed, power, and technique that cannot be taught. That version is the only version that will come out victorious on Saturday, as there will be no margin for error. The winner should find themselves sitting pretty in the Lightweight division, perhaps set to face Anthony Pettis upon his return for a perceived number one contender's spot. Still, amidst all the hype and speculation, Guillard remains calm, and continued on:
"I'm actually enjoying it. My present coaches and my former coaches will all be there at one time coaching the both of us. It will kind of be like being coached by coach Greg again; sort of a homecoming feel. It was just business. I have a great relationship will all those guys."
Guillard appears levelheaded going into UFC 150 in Denver. Will this serve to help or hurt him come Saturday? Which Melvin Guillard will we see vs. Donald Cerrone? The best version could win via knockout, any other could find another slide down the rankings.
Comments
Really can't wait for this fight!!!
My prediction: Cerrone will give a ahrd lesson to Guillard and at the end Melvin will understand how good Donald is and will come Back to Jacksonville
It seems like a maturity switch has been flicked on permenantly for Melvin; I'm glad to see it. I've always like watching him fight. Like him even more now.
If melvin remains calm and measured and picks his spots and angles cerrone is in for a long night I say MG by UD
dont forget, this guy hits u once on the sweet spot and its goodnight !
this will be an awsum fight
Yea probably the hardest hitter in the LW division
I think this is true, he spoke baout it saying he left after his loss wanting a new angle on his training and found it at the Blackzilians camp (a star studded camp but to be honest has been struggling to get wins).
He said he has a good relationship with Greg and Wink, even noted he feels he will be fighting in honour of Greg even though he is going against him.
Sounds kind of weird but a cool notion from Melvin.