Melvin Guillard and Ross Pearson are going to run it back. Not long after the pair’s UFC Fight Night 30 co-main event clash ended in an anticlimactic no contest, a rematch set for March 8, 2014 was on the books.
UFC executive Garry Cook announced the match-up for London’s O2 Arena during Saturday’s post-fight press conference. Guillard-Pearson joins an event already featuring Alexander Gustafsson vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
The culprit of Saturday’s no contest was the controversial ‘three-point stance’ rule which prevents knees to the head of a fighter with one hand placed on the mat.
Guillard (31-12-2, 2 NC) blasted Pearson with a pair of knees midway through the first round as Pearson worked to get to his feet against the fence. The shots not only rocked Pearson (15-6, 1 NC), but also opened up a gaping cut across his forehead which required over 30 stitches.
Referee Marc Goddard immediately stopped the action, and after evaluating the cut, ruled the bout a no contest due the damage caused by the “accidental fouls.”
“I’m sorry this is not the way I wanted to go out,” Pearson said afterward. “Me and Melvin wanted to put on a show for you guys.
“I was illegally attacked but things happen in this sport. Me and Melvin, let’s do it again.”