Competing in what is arguably the most stacked division in the UFC certainly has its drawbacks.
With so many talented fighters vying for a single crown, earning a title shot is tougher than ever for 155-pound fighters competing in the world’s premier MMA organization.
Unfortunately, Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller had to learn that the hard way.
Riding respective winning streaks of five and seven into their final bouts of 2011, many believed it was only a matter of time until Guillard and Miller each had their shot at becoming the lightweight kingpin.
While they weren’t set to face tomato can opponents, Guillard and Miller were expected to defeat their adversaries and move into 2012 as two of the top contenders in the lightweight division.
Then, disaster struck for the pair of 28-year-old title hopefuls.
This past August, Miller met former WEC lightweight champ Benson Henderson in a bout many believed would determine the division’s next title challenger. That didn’t turn out to be the case.
But, it didn’t matter for Miller, as he couldn’t seem to find an answer for the well-rounded Henderson in a well-fought three-round contest.
About two months later, after catching Guillard with a counter left hook, Joe Lauzon took the contender’s back and secured a rear naked choke. In just 47 seconds, Guillard’s hopes of competing for a title in the near future were gone.
“I blew my dream,” Guillard said in a UFC press release obtained by Bleacher Report. “I don’t deserve to be the champ. I have holes in my game. I have to get back on the ladder and win some fights. I’m sorry to the fans for the loss and it’s back to the drawing board.”
For Guillard, going back to the drawing board meant a major overhaul of his preparation methods. In a move many will question if he doesn’t get back into the win column, Guillard left trainer Greg Jackson, who many credited for Guillard’s successes in 2010 and early 2011.
“The Young Assassin” packed his bags and left for Florida, where he now trains with the Blackzilians, a growing team headed by Mike Van Arsdale. The camp is also home to UFC fighters such as Rashad Evans and Michael Johnson.
With a new support system behind him, Guillard will attempt to make another run at a lightweight title shot. A win over Miller would b a huge step toward competing in a championship bout, but getting that victory will be much easier said than done.
In nine career losses, Guillard has been submitted eight times. That staggering statistic is not one a fighter wants attached to their name while preparing for a fight with jiu-jitsu black belt Jim Miller.
More than half of Miller’s 20 wins as a professional fighter have come via submission.
The AMA Fight Club product can hold his own in the stand-up department as well, knocking out Kamal Shalorus in his most recent victory.
A highly intelligent and composed fighter, Miller will expertly withstand Guillard’s initial blitz before taking the fight to the ground, where Guillard won’t be able to survive long.
While Van Arsdale is an excellent coach in his own right, this contest with Miller is the type of fight where Guillard could have benefited greatly from Jackson’s unparalleled game-planning.
Come Friday, Guillard’s decision to leave Jackson paired with Miller’s skill set will be the only ingredients necessary in a recipe for Guillard’s second consecutive first-round submission loss.
Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.
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