UFC
UFC NEWS: Underestimated Melvin Guillard ready to get right back into action after win over Evan Dunham
Jan 23, 2011 - 5:15:59 PM UFC NEWS: Underestimated Melvin Guillard ready to get right back into action after win over Evan Dunham

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

It's been easy to overlook Melvin Guillard in the UFC's lightweight division. Despite being only 27-years-old, Guillard has been in the sport for years and has amassed a high number of fights. But with a high level of activity, Guillard has also showcased a very erratic personality, and the mental part of his game has been in question numerous times throughout his career.

Now, with a renewed outlook on his career and a rapidly improving overall game, Guillard has picked up four straight wins and is looking to be a force in 2011. After his first round decimation of the highly touted Evan Dunham at UFC Fight for the Troops 2 on Saturday night, Guillard talked about learning from some of the mistakes from early on in his career, and forging ahead in one of the toughest divisions in the sport.

"Guys underestimate me," Guillard said during the post-fight press conference. "When you put in your time, and I put in my time whether it was good or bad, even the losses. I learn from losses. I was 22-0 before I lost my first fight; it crushed me. I go in there now and I still feel like I'm 19-years-old; I still feel young, I'm only 27. I still have a long road ahead of me."

Competing in a stacked division with no shortage of title challengers doesn't halt Guillard's confidence, and though he knows there are others lined up ahead of him right now, he believes he should be the next in line for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

"Honestly, I feel like I should be next in line,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming. I know there’s guys like (Anthony) Pettis and they have to unify the belt, he’s a great fighter too. I’m pretty sure he’ll get the next shot at it, but it doesn’t matter."

Guillard said he has no desire to wait out a shot, however, and he's ready and willing to take on anyone put in front of him.

"Like I told Joe Silva and Dana [White] and them, I don't want to sit around and wait on the belt. I want to keep fighting," Guillard said. "I don't like sitting out, I don't even like waiting three months to fight. I liked to fight tonight, and fight again on the Vegas card that coming up for the Super Bowl if you guys find a spot for me. Just letting you know, hint-hint, wink-wink."

"I'm going to make my run, this is my dream. I have a legacy and at the end of the day, I have a great story to tell one day, when I'm an old man, I'll have a novel written and I'll have a legacy, and that's part of my legacy to fulfill. I will get the belt."

Penick's Analysis: Guillard looked incredible on Saturday. The speed and power he showed off against a very legit and talented competitor in Dunham was just fun to watch, and he's a legitimately dangerous fighter for any lightweight right now. I'd love to see him against a returning Kenny Florian next in May or June, but if he wants to get immediately back into the cage I'm not sure which fighter would be higher up for Guillard to fight right now. Still, people will have him much more on their radar after Saturday's performance, and he's going to be a fighter at 155 lbs. to really watch this year. He may not get to a title shot before the year is out, but if he keeps doing what he's been doing, he'll be fighting for the UFC Lightweight Title in 2012.