UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard is still seeking out a new home for his training, but he will remain with his current management team. A report on Thursday initially stated that Guillard, who stated earlier this week that he was exiting his old team at…
UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard is still seeking out a new home for his training, but he will remain with his current management team.
A report on Thursday initially stated that Guillard, who stated earlier this week that he was exiting his old team at the Blackzilians, was also leaving his managers at Authentic Sports Management headed up by owner Glenn Robinson.
Robinson spoke to Bleacher Report on Thursday and confirmed that while Guillard is indeed leaving the Blackzilian team, he remains on good terms with the fighter and will still represent him as his manager.
Guillard teamed up with his manager in 2011 and shortly thereafter moved to Florida to begin training with the newly formed team started by Robinson and headed up by former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and fellow veterans Jorge Santiago, Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante and others.
During his time as full-time member at the Blackzilians, Guillard‘s UFC record was 1-3 overall including dropping recent back-to-back fights to former training partner Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and most recently a split decision to Jamie Varner at UFC 155.
Following the recent two-fight skid, Guillard made the announcement on Sunday that he was leaving the Blackzilians and re-teaming with his old trainers at Greg Jackson’s MMA in New Mexico. Guillard was part of Team Jackson for a few years where he saw the biggest success during his UFC career and was likely only a fight away from a title shot when he suffered a loss to Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 in 2011.
While Guillard looked to go home again, the move was rebuffed as reports surfaced just hours later that stated in fact the former Ultimate Fighter Season 2 cast member would not be welcome back at Jackson’s after the two parties split just a year-and-a-half earlier.
Guillard has yet to make a formal statement about his exit from the Blackzilians or his potential return to Jackson’s MMA since his Twitter post on Sunday.
It appears as of now, Guillard is still a fighter without a home in regards to his training, but he still has a management team behind him while he awaits word on what’s next for his career.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report
Former UFC champion Frankie Edgar and current featherweight contender Cub Swanson will both return to action at UFC 162 on July 6 but against different opponents. Edgar and Swanson have flirted with the idea of fighting for the past month and were actu…
Former UFC champion Frankie Edgar and current featherweight contender Cub Swanson will both return to action at UFC 162 on July 6 but against different opponents.
Edgar and Swanson have flirted with the idea of fighting for the past month and were actually offered the headline spot at The Ultimate Fighter 17 finale show in April on short notice.
Unfortunately at the time, Swanson was still healing from his last fight in February against Dustin Poirier and was unable to take the fight against Edgar in mid-April.
Now both fighters will return to action at UFC 162. Edgar will face Brazilian Charles Oliveira while Swanson will take on German fighter Dennis Siver.
Edgar moved to the featherweight division earlier this year for a shot at champion Jose Aldo at the main event of UFC 156. The former lightweight titleholder lost a unanimous decision to Aldo but now returns to the cage hoping to work his way back into contention.
At only 23 years of age, Oliveira remains a bright prospect in the UFC’s 145-pound weight class, but he still needs to find his footing after going 2-3-1 in his last five fights.
Oliveira started his UFC career as a lightweight, but he decided to make the drop to featherweight three fights ago and quickly moved to 2-0 in his first two fights. The streak ended when he suffered a knockout to Cub Swanson at UFC 152, which also saw Oliveira miss weight the day before.
Now he has to try to regain traction against a tough opponent in Edgar when they meet at UFC 162 in July.
As for Cub Swanson, he will try to take one more step toward a shot at the featherweight belt when he faces Dennis Siver on the same card. Swanson and Siver were actually matched up in February at a UFC on Fuel TV card in England, but the German-born striker was forced out of the show due to injury.
Prior to the injury, Siver had picked up two wins in a row since dropping down to featherweight after 13 fights in the UFC lightweight division.
The winner of Swanson vs. Siver would be in an enviable position as a top contender in the UFC featherweight title picture along with Ricardo Lamas and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, who meet on the same card at UFC 162.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report.
There’s been a running joke in the UFC for a while that constant contender Urijah Faber gets more title shots than anybody in the promotion. In all reality since coming to the UFC from the WEC, Faber has only fought for the bantamweight title twice, bu…
There’s been a running joke in the UFC for a while that constant contender Urijah Faber gets more title shots than anybody in the promotion.
In all reality since coming to the UFC from the WEC, Faber has only fought for the bantamweight title twice, but his name remains near the top of the division in a holding pattern always circling around the championship.
Faber has heard all the talk about how he always gets title shots, and even comedian Adam Hunter takes a few fun shots at the former WEC champion whenever championship matchups come up in the UFC.
Faber takes it all in stride and knows that the difference between being a contender and a champion sometimes comes down to how a fighter is feeling on that particular fight day.
“I think it’s just going to be about that day. I’ve been doing a lot of things over the last couple years to continue to improve and the whole sport’s improving. I’ve worked with a lot of different trainers over the years,” Faber told Bleacher Report.
“A lot of people don’t understand with professional fighters that there’s life that happens as well. I’ve had some rough time this last couple years, personal stuff with family and focus here and there being moved or whatever. Things with my sister happening. I’ve got issues just like everyone else in this world.”
Sometimes the world doesn’t know everything that a fighter goes through leading into a fight, but Faber isn’t one to make excuses for any of his past losses. What he does instead is picks himself up, dusts off and gets back in the cage for another challenge.
Most recently, Faber dismantled Ivan Menjivar at UFC 157 and now looks to do the same to his friend and former training partner Scott Jorgensen at the Ultimate Fighter 17 finale in mid-April.
Faber is positive that he will once again land on everyone’s radar about the title shot talk because he’s going to earn another one someday soon, and next time he believes it will be his day.
“I thought I did beat Dominick Cruz. I know it was a close fight, could have gone either way, but I don’t feel like he beat me up and I landed some good punches on him. A couple of takedowns here or there could have been the difference,” said Faber.
“With RenanBarao also, kind of an uneventful fight, and I feel like if I could have done a couple more things or got a takedown here or there, landed a couple more punches or kicks it would have been a difference that way. I know I’m right there, it’s just a matter of making it happen.”
What Faber won’t do is let his own confidence get rattled by any naysayer that complains about his ability to always stay at the top of the division. He knows how to win a championship, and he’s ready to get back there again.
Next time however he promises different results.
“It’s all about continuing to push forward, enjoying what I do and just keep my eye on that prize,” Faber said. “That’s what I’m doing, staying hungry and keeping ready.”
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett has been fighting longer than most current MMA organizations have even existed, so he’s seen the good side and the bad side of this sport for a long time. It’s a big reason why when it comes to contract nego…
Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett has been fighting longer than most current MMA organizations have even existed, so he’s seen the good side and the bad side of this sport for a long time.
It’s a big reason why when it comes to contract negotiations, Barnett is a shrewd businessman that won’t settle for something less than he believes he deserves. It’s a necessary evil that sometimes keeps him out of the ring or cage for much longer than he wants, but at the end of the day Barnett wants to know that he’s happy wherever he lands.
“It’s never a scenario I really appreciated much, and especially now that the landscape of MMA is different and there isn’t the opportunity to stay busy as previously,” Barnett told Bleacher Report about contract negotiations. “I don’t suffer from not having enough to do. If it’s not directly MMA related, I have plenty of things to keep myself busy with projects and life itself. So the down time is appreciated, but the thing it’s much better to know when your down time is and how long it’s going to be so you can plan appropriately.”
Barnett has fought all over the world for a number of different promotions, but for as big as MMA has grown as a sport, the number of organizations that are putting on big shows have dwindled seemingly year after year. Gone are the days of major MMA in places like Japan where the sport once flourished.
Looking at the current opportunities that are in the MMA promotional world, Barnett wants to make sure he’s truly happy wherever he lands, but it won’t be a rash decision just because he wants to fight.
“My thought process has dramatically veered away from the “who I want to fight” over the years versus the “where I want to fight”. Where it worked out best for me. How I can be somewhere where I’m going to flourish, where I’m going to be my best in terms of my career. I’m an unusual type of fighter. I don’t just make my living or build my brand off of fighting alone,” said Barnett.
“Usually these companies can get some Joe Blow to take less, for less, and give up more. It’s a lot easier sometimes to find whoever and report them to one of the best instead of actually having the best.”
Following the final fight and the final card for Strikeforce earlier this year, Barnett became the biggest free agent in the MMA marketplace along with former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez. Barnett’s appeal is bigger than just what he does inside the cage because he has no problem grabbing a microphone and cutting a promo that would make the best in the pro wrestling world proud as well.
On day one in promotions like Bellator or World Series of Fighting, Barnett would be the best heavyweight on the roster, and even in the UFC he would be ranked amongst the top fighters in the division. That kind of reputation gives Barnett and his team power when negotiating a deal, but it also makes it tough to land the right contract because he knows what he’s worth and settling for less just wouldn’t be smart.
“For me it’s more about getting the right kind of deal done. Because if I’m not fighting, I’m okay I can do other stuff. I’ve got other things to do. I’ve got other aspects of my career to work on and to work with. I’m okay with that. I’m going to stay in the gym and stay training and stay active in martial arts. It’s not like I’m just going to. drop off, and all of a sudden have to get ready for a fight,” Barnett stated.
“What secures your future is what’s on paper. That’s all I can really count on. The time that it takes to get that correct is the time it’s going to take.”
Barnett negotiated with the UFC on a deal earlier this year, but unfortunately the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement. The good part is however no bridges were burned, and anything is possible.
The door isn’t closed for any organization to land Barnett’s services as of now, but the right deal hasn’t come along to secure his services. As Barnett approaches his 36th birthday later this year, he wants to make the best move for his career and then he’ll worry about smashing a few more heavyweights on his way to the top.
“I don’t have any personal vendettas or anything of the sort with any of those companies. It’s really just a matter of coming to terms with something I feel like is the right deal for me. I have no doubt if I’m in the UFC or Bellator or wherever that I’m going to bring value and offers to wherever I’m at,” said Barnett.
“I don’t have any doubts how I would fare against anybody in the world. I’ve been in plenty of fights in the ring, out of the ring, and I know what I’m capable of and how good I am.”
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
Rory MacDonald made the call no fighter wants to make a few weeks back when he had to bow out of his co-main event fight at UFC 158 against Carlos Condit. The Canadian fighter suffered a neck injury while training, and there was just no way he could pr…
Rory MacDonald made the call no fighter wants to make a few weeks back when he had to bow out of his co-main event fight at UFC 158 against Carlos Condit.
The Canadian fighter suffered a neck injury while training, and there was just no way he could prepare sufficiently to face Condit in mid-March. So with a heavy heart, MacDonald withdrew from the fight, but like most athletes, his desire to return to action outweighed his body’s readiness for the activity.
MacDonald suffered a setback as he tried to return to training too soon, so now he’s following a much stricter regimen as he looks to step into the Octagon again later this year.
“It’s day to day working with his coaches and doctors. We’ll see where he is week to week, but it’s not anything that will keep him out, I don’t think for too long. Rory will be fighting top talent again very soon, but it’s honestly one of those things where we’re evaluating it every day to see how he’s improving,” said Lex McMahon, MacDonald’s manager from Alchemist MMA.
“We’re making sure that when he’s ready, he’s ready.”
According to McMahon, right now the focus is on getting MacDonald ready at the pace his body can handle and on not pushing things too much. While the neck injury wasn’t too severe, it was significant enough that his team doesn’t want to take any chances or push him into a fight before he’s ready.
When MacDonald does return, a much different welterweight division will be waiting to greet him. Following the events of UFC 158, MacDonald’s teammate Georges St-Pierre will likely be facing Johny Hendricks, his last opponent Carlos Condit is coming off a loss and Jake Ellenberger made a major statement with a knockout win on the same card over Nate Marquardt.
McMahon isn’t ready to start thinking about matchups for MacDonald no matter how much interest there is in any certain fight. MacDonald has sought a rematch with Condit for quite some time after suffering a loss to him in 2010, but right now the priority is health first and then signing to fight.
“We’ll see what the UFC wants and where Carlos is at. I think that’s premature,” McMahon stated. “Our focus is really on making sure Rory is healthy and ready to fight again soon.”
No timelines have been made for MacDonald to return because his team wants to prevent setbacks this time around. The hope is for MacDonald to shift back into high gear this summer and then start looking at potential opponents.
“My guess is he’ll be fighting again at some point this summer,” McMahon revealed. “It really is just predicated on how he is feeling and how quickly he recovers, but I think he’ll be fine and you’ll see him sooner rather than later.”
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
March 27, 2013 marked Jamie Varner’s 10th anniversary since he began fighting MMA, and with his recent rejuvenation in the UFC he’s not stopping until he gets back into the title race. It’s been a long, strange ride for Varner since 2003 when he starte…
March 27, 2013 marked Jamie Varner’s 10th anniversary since he began fighting MMA, and with his recent rejuvenation in the UFC he’s not stopping until he gets back into the title race.
It’s been a long, strange ride for Varner since 2003 when he started in MMA. He reached the heights of the UFC just three years into his career and then stepped to the next plateau when he became the WEC lightweight champion.
Varner suffered some career setbacks between 2010 and 2011 and actually contemplated retirement, but after a blistering knockout over top prospect Edson Barboza on short notice to return to the UFC, he’s back on track.
Following his win over Melvin Guillard at UFC 155, Varner was forced to take some time off after suffering two torn ligaments in his thumb. While he avoided surgery, he was pushed out of action for the better part of two months waiting for the injury to heal.
Just recently, however, Varner got a clearance from his doctor to return to the cage, and now he’s just waiting on the call from the UFC to give him a date and an opponent.
“I think I could be ready by April, but May is playing it safe. May would be a lot more comfortable so I don’t have to rush into training and potentially get hurt,” Varner told Bleacher Report recently.
While he’s awaiting his return to the cage, Varner isn’t slowing down his physical activities as he’s planning to participate in the Spartan Race on April 6 in Las Vegas. Spartan Race is an advanced obstacle course than in this case will span about eight miles over various terrain.
Following Spartan Race, Varner’s focus turns solely back on fighting, and his goal is to face the absolute best the lightweight division has to offer.
“I fought a lot of dangerous guys. (Joe) Lauzon was a great opportunity, obviously he was my last loss, and I want that back, but I want to fight anybody in the top ten. I was hoping to get a chance at Rafael Dos Anjos or even T.J. Grant, but I just want to fight one of the best. I want to fight whoever’s at the top,” said Varner.
“I want to start making my campaign towards the title.”
The possibility of fighting for the title is an interesting situation for Varner because since his recent return to the UFC, he’s been working alongside UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at his home camp in Arizona. Not to mention, Henderson actually beat Varner to win the WEC title back in 2010.
Now the two fighters have become close friends and teammates, but nothing is going to derail Varner on his mission to get to the top.
“Ever since I kind of re-adjusted my mindset, I don’t say no to fights. If you want to be the best you’ve got to fight everybody,” Varner stated. “That’s what I want to do. I want to fight the best. Whether he’s ranked ninth in the world or he’s ranked second in the world, I want to fight anybody in the top ten. I don’t care if they’re coming off a knockout of the year or fight of the year, I want the fights that are going to get me to the title.”
There is no clear road to a title shot and it could happen in two fights or it could be five wins away. Whatever it takes, Varner is willing to do it, but he’s ready to fight the best of the best in his division because he knows as well as anybody that will certainly speed up the process.
“I want the most expedited path towards that title shot,” said Varner. “That’s only by fighting the best guys and the guys that no one else wants to fight.”
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard is still seeking out a new home for his training, but he will remain with his current management team.