Originally UFC lightweight Evan Dunham (11-1) had been scheduled to meet former top contender Kenny Florian, first as part of UFC 126, then changed to headline this Saturday’s UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 event. An injury to Florian in early December forced his opponent off the card, looking to keep Dunham on the card the UFC booked Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard as his new opponent. Their fight headlines the upcoming show, a first for Dunham so far in the UFC.
Previously to his last fight, Dunham was on an eleven fight win streak, earning four straight in the UFC, but it was put to a halt in September by Sean Sherk at UFC 119. The bout would earn both men the “Fight of the Night” for the exciting match but split decision win for “The Muscle Shark” would earn the ire of many in the crowd who felt Dunham should have won.
Either way, it was a learning experience for Dunham who prepares for another tough opponent despite going from Florian to Guillard.
“My opinion, Guillard is just as dangerous. I think he’s just as tough of an opponent and just as much (of a) threat. I had to switch a few things up just because he’s a ‘righty’ instead of a ‘lefty,’ but not changing too much. I think we made the adjustments just fine and I’ll be prepared for him. I try not to adjust my game too much for different fighters. I’m going to go out there and take the fight wherever. I feel comfortable, whether it be on the ground or on the feet. No major changes…I’ve been watching Melvin for a long time, even before he got into the UFC, so I’m pretty familiar with him. ”
HT: MMAWeekly.com, photo EvanDunham.com