UFC 79: Melvin Guillard vs. Rich Clementi
Melvin Guillard will return to the UFC in December to take on Rich Clementi, according to reports:
Rumors began to circulate about this matchup last week but Clementi just recently got official word from Joe Silva of the UFC that the match is indeed on.
But before he fights Guillard, Clementi will be taking on Antoine Skinner this Saturday on the campus of LSU on a card promoted by his own fight company, No Love Entertainment. It’s believed to be the first time an MMA event has ever been held on LSU’s campus.
Clementi has matched himself up with a tough opponent in Skinner and isn’t giving himself a layup. Overall, it’s going to be a busy week for him because he’s not only fighting on a show that he’s promoting but the show is being held in conjunction with a car show, which is believed to be another first.
After being being defeated 27-seconds into the opening round by Joe Stevenson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 9 in April Guillard tested positive for cocaine metabolite in a post-fight drug test. The positive test resulted in an 8-month suspension. Guillard holds a 20-6-2 MMA record including UFC victories over Marcus Davis, Rick Davis, and Gabe Ruediger.
Clementi is 28-12-1 in MMA competition. He debuted in the UFC on the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 4, losing to Din Thomas by rear naked choke. He next defeated Ross Pointon at UFC Fight Night 8 in January before suffering his second UFC loss to Roan Carneiro at UFC Fight Night 9. After defeating Kyle Gibbons at an IFO event in early September, Clementi was inked on short notice to face Anthony Johnson at UFC 76 later in the month. “No Love” was victorious in the bout, topping Johnson by second-round submission. Clementi will face a tough test this weekend, though his bout against Guillard is unlikely to be affected no matter the outcome.
The pair has a long-standing and well-documented feud that led to a skirmish at an MMA show in February making the bout even more intriguing.
For more on UFC 79 check out the UFC rumors section and the UFC 79 archives.
Tags: Melvin Guillard, Rich Clementi
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This is a fight that I hope is on the main card of UFC 79, but it won’t be. I think Clementi will take this fight by submission. I’m thinking via rear naked choke in the second.
I don’t know Red. Melvin is a ferocious starter, he has the ability to be a star, he just needs to take a few steps back when he starts. He goes in all guns blazing, and always seems to make mistakes. If Gillard comes in sober, Gillard by 1st round KO, if he sniffs a little “coke” before the fight, Clementi will win.
Clementi has no chance, early 1st round KO. Just because you hate a guy doesn’t necessarily mean you can stand toe to toe with him. Clementi couldn’t beat a washed up Shoney Carter.
clementi has already beat guillard in a thai boxing match, so i dont think there will be a first round ko for guillard. rich is gonna go out there and light guillards cocky attitude up.