Former MMA teammates under Greg Jackson, Diego Sanchez and Melvin Guillard, both have a bone to pick with a recent media report where “The Young Assassin” was asked his opinion on the recent thriller between Sanchez and Gilbert Melendez at UFC 166.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, Guillard apparently made a bold statement regarding the front-running “Fight of the Year” candidate and his old friend:
“I would have dropped either one of them,” Guillard is quoted in the report. “I used to drop Diego Sanchez in practice all the time. When I hit people, I hurt people. That’s just what I do.”
This reporter/fan was intrigued by the statement, so I thought I’d tweet at “The Dream” for his side of the story. The over 11-year fight veteran was not amused by his ex-training partner’s alleged comment.
@JohnnyHardbody never ounce @Young__Assassin why you trying to get attention by making up fake stories? Im not even gonna start with you OK
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) October 24, 2013
At a glance, it looked like a new feud was brewing in the UFC’s highly competitive lightweight division. However, Guillard responded early this morning stating he was misquoted in the interview in question.
@DiegoSanchezUFC @JohnnyHardbody man the media twisting my words bro don’t listen to that shit
— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) October 24, 2013
Guillard, who is just 2-4 in his past six bouts, has a chance to re-enter the 155-pound division’s top 15 with a decisive win over fellow slugger Ross Pearson this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sanchez is 3-2 in his past 5 matchups inside the cage, the same record he’s compiled at lightweight, and has already expressed interest in a five-round fight with former UFC title challenger Nate Diaz.
MMA Junkie did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment on the situation, though the story will be updated if a response is given at any point.
UPDATE: 1:56 P.M. Eastern Time
MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, a co-author on the original story, said in an e-mail that the quotes were obtained from a pre-UFC Fight Night 30 media scrum, providing an audio clip to back up his claim.
The audio clip, which was provided to Bleacher Report, accurately reflects what Guillard was quoted as saying in MMA Junkie’s piece about Guillard.
John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.
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