Interview by Bryan Levick

Just about every lightweight in the UFC and even the ones who fight outside of the organizations watched Benson Henderson defeat Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 to capture the UFC Lightweight Championship. Some people felt that Edgar won while others feel the judges got it right when they awarded the fight to Henderson. All eyes, including Guillard’s, will be on Denver when the two meet again at UFC 150 in August.

One man with some insight on the fight-game, the division, and the impact of the result is unquestionably UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard who takes to the cage this weekend at UFC 148 against Fabricio Camoes in hopes of rekindling his own run at the title.

“I feel the right man won, in fact I don’t think it was that close of a fight to begin with,” Guillard admitted in an interview with MMAFrenzy. “I know when a guy is a champion for a long time people want to see an immediate rematch, but I think Henderson clearly won that fight. When I become the champion one day soon and if I happen to get beat, because let’s face it no one is unbeatable, I would hope I would get an immediate rematch as well. But I really feel Henderson was the better fighter. At the end of the fight Edgar wasn’t trying to finish the fight he was trying to outpoint Henderson because he probably felt he won every round. I don’t fight that way; I go in to each and every fight to finish my opponents. Henderson surprised a lot of people with how much he has improved since coming over from the WEC. This weight class is way too stacked to take anyone lightly and the guys that came over from the WEC have shown they are just as good as anyone else in the world.”

A lot of attention has been paid towards the Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez and the fact that he doesn’t have a lot of highly ranked opponents over in that organization. Guillard would have no problem about taking on the always tough Team Cesar Gracie fighter and even mentioned another long standing champion as someone he’d have no problem stepping in to the cage with.

“Like I said before the one thing you’ll never have to worry about with me is turning down a fight,” reiterated Guillard. “I will never say no to a fight. If they called me right now and asked me to move up to 170 and fight Georges St. Pierre I would take that fight in a heartbeat. The reason I would do that is you only live once, I’m 29-years-old and I’ve been fighting since I’m 19. These types of opportunities don’t come around every day. My wife began calling me “The Middle Age Assassin” not too long ago! I’m not saying I am slowing down. My body is still working and feeling good, but no one knows for sure how many good years I have left. I will take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to me and I will never say no to a fight.”

Guillard is really looking forward to this fight and being part of the UFC 148 card. Not only is he fighting again on the Fourth of July weekend, he is also looking forward to the fan expo just as much.

“I’m 6-0 while fighting during the 4th of July holiday weekend and I’m about to make it 7-0,” said an ultra-confident Guillard. “I am feeling really good both physically and mentally and I am also excited about meeting my fans at the Expo. Even if I am not there to sign autographs I still enjoy hanging out with the fans. I appreciate them all and the fact that they come to watch me fight. I also get to fight on a card with Anderson Silva one of my favorite fighters of all time. It’s my first time fighting on the same card as him and I really want to outshine the champion! I want my fight to be the one that everyone is talking about after it’s all said and done.”

Fans can catch Guillard give it a go against Camoes on Saturday night’s FX-bound portion of the prelims. The broadcast starts at 7:00 PM EST.