Born and raised in Louisiana, Guillard competed in various sports such as basketball before he began wrestling at Bonnabel High School.[4] Guillard was talented, becoming a State Champion (152 lbs) in his senior year, winning the Class 5A MVP award, and also was a member of the Louisiana Junior National Team for two years. Guillard continued competing for one year at Colby Community College in Kansas and graduated with a degree in criminal law.[5] Guillard had originally become drawn to mixed martial arts due to his wrestling coach's connections with the sport, and had the goal of fighting professionally by his early teens. By the time he was 16 years old, Guillard was preparing to fight professionally.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
In 2005, Guillard defeated fellow future UFC veteran Roger Huerta by decision, but the fight was ruled a No Contest after Huerta appealed the decision to the commission, accusing Guillard of greasing between rounds one and two.
The Ultimate Fighter 2
Guillard participated in The Ultimate Fighter 2, but was eliminated from the competition after losing a unanimous decision to Josh Burkman. He returned on the season finale, defeating Marcus Davis by technical knockout due to a cut. Fighting again at Welterweight, Guillard lost his next fight to Josh Neer, submitting to a first round triangle choke. Guillard had earlier opened a large cut on Neer's forehead.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
After the lightweight division was reinstated at UFC 58, Guillard began to transition to this weight class. He made his UFC lightweight debut at UFC 60, defeating Rick Davis by first-round KO. At UFC 63 on September 23, 2006, Guillard fought former WEC lightweight champion Gabe Ruediger and won the fight via KO by a body blow. Guillard next fought Joe Stevenson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 9 and submitted to a guillotine choke 27 seconds into the fight, after being stunned by a punch. Guillard also submitted in his next fight, against Rich Clementi at UFC 79, to a rear naked choke at 4:40 of the first round. Before and after the bout, the fighters talked trash. Guillard gave Clementi the finger during the introductions and attempted to attack him after the fight, but was restrained by referee Herb Dean. He was subsequently released from the UFC, but was brought back after a win in a minor promotion.
Guillard returned to the UFC at UFC 86, knocking out Dennis Siver in 36 seconds and earning a Knockout of the Night bonus.[7] He was slated to fight Spencer Fisher at UFC 90, but tore his ACL while training and was replaced by Shannon Gugerty.
On February 6, 2010, Guillard faced Ronys Torres at UFC 109.[9] He joined coach Greg Jackson's camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico to prepare for the fight.[10] He showed improved submission defense and patience in the fight, winning a close unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Guillard was scheduled to face Thiago Tavares at UFC 114,[11] but Tavares was forced off the card with an elbow injury.[12] Guillard instead fought and knocked out UFC newcomer Waylon Lowe in the first round.[13]
Guillard was expected to face Yves Edwards on January 22, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 23.[15] However, headliner Kenny Florian pulled out of his fight with Evan Dunham due to injury and Guillard replaced him.[16] He defeated Dunham in the first round via TKO by knees. The finish earned him the Knockout of the Night award.[17]
Guillard faced Joe Lauzon on October 6, 2011 at UFC 136.[19] Guillard was quickly submitted with a rear naked choke after being stunned by a counter left hook from Lauzon.[20]
Guillard next faced Jim Miller in the main event of UFC on FX 1 on January 20, 2012.[21] After dropping Miller in the early going, Guillard was submitted in the first round.
Guillard next fought Fabrício Camões on July 7, 2012 at UFC 148.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Guillard fought Donald Cerrone on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150, and was knocked out early in the first round after clipping Cerrone with a big left hand. He received a $60,000 Fight of the Night bonus award for his effort.[23] This was the first knockout loss of his career.[24]
Guillard was scheduled to face Jamie Varner on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale.[25] However, Varner fell ill the day of the event and the bout was scrapped from the card. The bout with Varner was rescheduled for December 29, 2012 at UFC 155.[26] Guillard was taken down by Varner several times in their bout, losing a split decision.[27]
Guillard faced Mac Danzig on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.[28] He knocked Danzig out in the second round. The win earned Guillard his third Knockout of the Night bonus award.[29]
Guillard faced Ross Pearson on October 26, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 30.[30] The fight ended in a no contest when Pearson was deemed unable to continue after being cut on the forehead by an accidental illegal knee.[31] As a result of the controversial result, a rematch was booked for UFC Fight Night 37 at March 8, 2014 in London.[32] However, Pearson pulled out of the fight due to injury and was replaced by Michael Johnson.[33] Guillard lost the lackluster fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[34]
World Series of Fighting
On April 7, 2014, World Series of Fighting executive vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz confirmed Guillard had signed a multi-fight contract.[35]
Guillard made his debut at WSOF 11 on July 5, 2014 against Gesias Cavalcante.[36] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Guillard was expected to challenge Justin Gaethje for his WSOF Lightweight championship on November 15, 2014 at WSOF 15.[37] However, Guillard missed weight for the bout and it was changed to a catchweight affair.[38] Guillard lost the fight via split decision.
On April 30, 2015 Melvin was released by the World Series of Fighting. His manager, Malki Kawa, announced the news on Twitter: "I just received what I asked for from WSOF which is the release for [Melvin]... Should have a new home for him shortly".[39]
Bellator MMA
On May 4, 2015, Bellator MMA president Scott Coker announced Melvin's signing in a press release, stating "We are excited to have Melvin coming onboard."[40]
In his debut fight for the promotion, Guillard was given the chance to face a hand picked opponent and chose Brandon Girtz, who he fought at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015. His decision to face Girtz ended up backfiring on him as he lost the fight via split decision.[41]
In his second fight for the promotion, Guillard faced Derek Campos on February 19, 2016 at Bellator 149.[42] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[43]
In his third fight for the promotion, Guillard faced David Rickels on July 21, 2016 at Bellator 159. Guillard earned his first win in Bellator via a series of elbows and punches to defeat Rickels via KO in the first round. The win was overturned after Guillard tested positive for a non-performance-enhancing banned substance. Guillard was subsequently suspended for one year by the Kansas Athletic Commission.[44] After agreeing to enter rehab and completing the program, Guillard's suspension was subsequently reduced to six months.
Guillard faced Chidi Njokuani in the main event at Bellator 171 on January 27, 2017. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[45]
Rizin FF
In July 2018, Guillard faced Takanori Gomi at Rizin 11. He missed weight for the fight and lost by knockout at 2:33 in the first round.[46] Guillard alleges that Rizin officials altered the rules of his match before the fight, telling him that for his match he would not be allowed to use either soccer kicks or knees to the head of a grounded opponent, forcing to him to change his planned strategy and his attire, putting on wrestling shoes. Guillard suspects that individuals were trying to possibly 'protect' Gomi.[47]
Regional promotions
After the lone bout in Rizin, Guillard faced Terry House Jr. at United Combat League 32 on October 18, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Guillard was next expected to face Erick Lozano at Lights Out 7 on February 8, 2020.[48] However, the bout never materialized due to unknown reasons.
Bare-knuckle boxing
BKB
On April 22, 2017, Guillard took part in a bare knuckle boxing event for Bare Knuckle Boxing in England. He faced Dan Breeze at BKB 5 and won the fight via KO after Dan Breeze failed to respond in time to the 10 count.[49] He expressed before the fight he wanted to fight BKB's undefeated, and biggest star, Middleweight Champion Jimmy "Celtic Warrior" Sweeney, and after the fight on 2 separate occasions nearly got into a fight with Sweeney and his entourage, even grabbing a butter knife at one point, with fellow former UFC fighters Shonie Carter, who recorded the altercation, and Wes Sims present at the scene.[50][51]
At BKB 6 on July 1, 2017 Guillard faced the "Undisputed King of Bare Knuckle" and its #1 star, Jimmy "Celtic Warrior" Sweeney.[52] The fight was held at 12 stone (168 lbs). Guillard lost the bout by unanimous decision.[53]
Guillard had a rematch with Sweeney on September 9, 2017 at BKB 7. He again lost the bout by unanimous decision.[54]
Guillard fought again on November 4, 2017 against Leighton Brady, who stepped in on four days notice after Guillard's original opponent dropped out. Although dropped almost immediately at the beginning of the fight, Guillard came back and dropped his opponent several times, finally dropping Brady a final time in the third round, winning by TKO after Brady failed to get up in time for the 10 count. Guillard expressed in the post-fight interview he wanted a title shot in BKB at Lightweight.[55][56]
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
After the four-fight stint in BKB, Guillard made his promotional debut in BKFC against Isaac Vallie-Flagg at Bare Knuckle FC 7 on August 10, 2019.[57] He lost the fight via technical knockout due to a hand injury that rendered him unable to continue after the third round.[58]
In his sophomore bout he faced Scott O'Shaughnessy at Bare Knuckle FC 16 on March 16, 2021. He lost the fight via first-minute knockout.[59]
He then faced Harris Stephenson at Bare Knuckle FC 20 on August 20, 2021.[60] He lost the fight via disqualification in the second round due to an illegal blow that was ruled an intentional foul.[61]
On January 27, 2020, The Association of Boxing Commissions issued a news release concerning Guillard's expected fight at the BKFC: Knucklemania 2 event to take place on Feb 19 2020. In the release they stated that Florida Athletic Commission Executive Director Patrick Cunningham had announced that the FAC had denied BKFC’s bout proposal for a matchup between Guillard and Ulysses Diaz due to “serious health concern" with respect to Melvin Guillard.[64]
Personal life
Guillard is married. He is a playable character in the UFC Undisputed 3 video game.[65]
Substance abuse and family
Guillard fought The Ultimate Fighter 2 winner Joe Stevenson in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs Guillard on April 5, 2007, and submitted to a guillotine choke in 27 seconds after being dropped by a jab. He publicly accused Stevenson of using Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Guillard's own pre-fight urine sample later tested positive for cocaine. The Nevada State Athletic Commission subsequently suspended Guillard for eight months and fined him $2,100.[66] Melvin attributed his drug abuse to the death of his father at age 44, from cirrhosis after a life of heavy drinking.
He later said, "I made a lot of excuses for myself because of my father's death, and I regret it now because my father left me and he always told me, 'Son, never live a regret. Never make excuses for yourself. Be a man and take responsibility for whatever you do in life.'"[67] He has said his dad was his best friend and biggest fan, and never missed watching him fight. However, after Hurricane Katrina, his dad (a contractor) was backed up with work and so didn't make it to Guillard's UFC debut. He died before he could ever watch him fight in the UFC.[68]
Legal troubles
In September 2018, news surfaced that Guillard was facing four felony charges stemming from two separate incidents: domestic violence against his girlfriend and an assault at a Denver bar.[69] Subsequently it was revealed that there were two separate incidents in Denver bars, in June and September 2018.[70] For the bar incidents, Guillard was eventually charged with six charges, including multiple felony assaults.[70] He made a deal with the prosecutor for misdemeanor assault and was jailed. He was released in July 2019 with two years of probation.[70]
In August 2019, news surfaced that Guillard was to appear at a court hearing on August 28, 2019, regarding the domestic violence incident, facing a second degree assault and a third degree assault charges.[71]
