With the UFC lightweight title locked up for over a year between three fighters, there is likely many 155 lb fighters losing patience waiting for their turn at capturing UFC Gold. With back-to-back bouts between former champ B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar, then Edgar’s bout with Gray Maynard on New Year’s Day, to the rescheduling of their title rematch, the UFC title has been out of reach for all but those three for over a year.
One lightweight fighter in the division, Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard (27-8-2, 1NC) is willing to wait for the UFC “to weed out champs” within the division.
You have Anthony Pettis, the last WEC champ, who was to have gotten the next crack at the title but obligated to meet Clay Guida in a No. 1 contender bout instead. And then with the Zuffa purchase of Strikeforce, champion Gilbert Melendez is another name that can be thrown into that mix. Who knows how long it will take for the UFC to “weed” out the next contender after these fighters get their turn.
Guillard is currently scheduled to fight on July 2 in Las Vegas, he faces Shane Roller on the UFC 132 card and will look for his fifth straight victory.
Speaking to ESPN.com, Guillard talked about the current status of the title, and who he thinks he has to beat in order to be considered the next challenger after all of the champions have been weeded out.
“I want to see [Edgar and Maynard] fight. Right now, they need to weed out champions. You have [WEC champion] Anthony Pettis and [Strikeforce champion] Gilbert Melendez still in line. We need one, dominant champion. That way me or Jim Miller can come along and beat the real champion…”
“[Beating Roller] doesn’t elevate me,” Guillard said. “I’d rather take that fight though and not wait until September or October for Jim Miller. I think the Miller fight will happen before the end of this year. I want it to happen in October on the Houston card. I’m not overlooking Shane Roller; he’s tough. I have to make a statement and let Jim know I’m for real.”