Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stephens Expected for UFC 119 in Indianapolis
by Scott Haber on Jun 7, 2010 9:51 PM EDT
in MMA News
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Melvin asked, and now he shall receive. After finishing newcomer Waylon Lowe with a brutal knee to the body at UFC 114 last month, Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard (24-8. 7-4 UFC) called out fellow lightweight slugger Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens (17-5, 5-4 UFC) in his post-fight interview, and now, according to MMA Junkie, the two have agreed to meet on the main card of UFC 119 this September in Indianapolis:
The UFC lightweight will tangle with Jeremy Stephens on UFC 119's main card, according to sources close to the event who told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the fighters are expected to sign bout agreements shortly.
Both fighters are on two-fight winning streaks, and considering the KO power that each possesses, (although Guillard may be a bit more technical with his striking), this one has the makings of a barn-burner.
Although not yet announced, UFC 119 is expected to hit the Conseco Fieldhouse on September 25th. The only other rumored fight so far is a heavyweight bout between Matt Mitrione and Joey Beltran. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for more information on UFC 119 when it becomes available.
[UPDATE] by Anton Tabuena - Jeremy Stephens has officially signed for this fight. From BJPenn.com:
“I just signed the papers today (for the Guillard fight)"
“I think it’s a good fight. I think it’s an exciting fight for the fans. I think it’s going to be a good one, but I think that I’m just going to be too strong for Melvin.”... It’s going to be in a great location, here in the Midwest so it’s going to be a big family event for me and its going to be a real exciting show and I can’t wait to go out there just prove the world wrong once again.”
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This or London gets Shogun vs Evans
the other possibly gets Belfort vs Wanderlei/Akiyama for the MW Title:
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=11696&zoneid=13
"the other possibly gets Belfort vs Wanderlei/Akiyama for the MW Title:"
Anderson Silva wins then vacates his belt?
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
I read the article. Even if that's true
Why should Wandy get a title shot?
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
True. I'd probably lose my crap if he ended up being MW champion of the UFC.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
thatd be pretty epic. Ufc has been passed from blackhouse to chute box
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I just think a potential Wandy/Belfort rematch would be awesome
and hopefully last (slightly) longer. That pesky Akiyama better not get in the way though.
Training BE since January 2010
The title shot would however be at its sexiest
In the least sexy division around.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
Ugh, I don't want to see Wand fight Vitor again
Wand would get knocked cold this time, even worse than the first time.
Good. That guarantees a good fight on Spike for free.
If this is making it up to the fans I like it…
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
Jose Conseco
Has a Fieldhouse named after him?
by Electro Boy on Jun 7, 2010 7:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Conseco Fieldhouse as widely regarded by many as one of the best basketball arenas in the nation.
http://www.illinichat.com/wp-content/uploads/illini-spartans-conseco-fieldhouse-big-ten-tournament-021.jpg
by goodbadugly16 on Jun 7, 2010 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I know how it's spelled
Just a little play, part of the joke. Rickey Henderson was my favorite player growing up.
Didn’t count people taking the spelling seriously.
Melvin.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
hahaha
based on what?
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
put a lot of thought into that one
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
So
through figuring that Melvin will be the favorite, you came to the conclusion he will “crush Stephens.” THAT is what I find funny.
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
Melvin doesn't eke out a lot of victories...
And Stephens doesn’t exactly fight cautiously. If Melvin has an edge, which he does, it’s not really all that funny to imagine that he’ll not just beat Stephens, but beat him up. That’s what I’m expecting anyway.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
Guillard is a better wrestler and better boxer. I don’t see one part of the game that Stephens is better at. They both have big power and good chins, but Melvin will likely land the bigger and better shots. It’d be very impressive to finish Heathen, so “crushing” him might be a little much, but I can easily see Melvin winning a dominant decision.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
Does Guillard know about Stephens racially insulting Mayweather? Cuz that could get ugly…
If you're not watching Treme, you're a bad person.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jun 7, 2010 7:43 PM EDT reply actions
Wrong order
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
He could maybe take offense to it
but if he looks at it like I do then I think he would understand that the context Stephens was using it in wasn’t meant to be offensive.
Training BE since January 2010
I don’t see this one going down as a barnburner unless your definition of barnburner is Guillard smashing through Stephens face in the first round.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Just like everyone predicted Stout to do the same?
I wonder when people are going to stop underestimating Jeremy….
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
I don't think anyone has ever predicted Stout to "smash" anyone
technically out-point someone, maybe.
True
I think this is a good fight for Stephens
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
My dislike for Stephens aside--
How do you come to that conclusion?
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
I agree
that Guillard will have the edge in the fight, no doubt. I see it as a good fight for Jeremy based on the match up style which will tell us where he is at. I’m not arguing the strengths of each fighter gives Jeremy the edge but you could see his improvements in the fight against Stout. Now with more time passing and more time out in San Diego I see this a good test and matchmaking to test him further.
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
Deep breaths
Did you train with him or something? People will occasionally pick against someone you like.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
It’s the whole “smashing through Stephens” talk right away gets me. Give me an honest assessment at least. I guess I’m just in a sensitive mood tonight lol.
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
Yeah, but you know people are just riffing. I’m liable to say the same shit, but I don’t actually believe he’s going to beat him so bad he’ll never fight again or something. In actuality, it’s a tough fight that I hope Melvin wins (and think he can).
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
Its an honest assessment. I was at Stephens first UFC fight and his massive K.O. of Dos Anjos and I find him to be an exciting fighter. He’s got heavy hands but looks slower and has more holes in his striking defense that a guy with explosive striking like Guillard will be all over. Also as far as the Stout fight goes, Stout was really really overrated based on crisply outstriking a gassed out J-Lau for the final two rounds.
Guillard is a monster striker and his weakness is the ground game and gas tank and I don’t see Stephans testing either. This fight plays right into Melvin’s strength and its a very devistating strength.
I also think Guillard is a monster in the stand up game that
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
guillards been an animal since joining greg jackson
1st rnd tko
We have a saying back home that if your coming on, COME ON!!!!
by milk72 on Jun 7, 2010 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He has the tools
And this is a logical fight for a guy who is 7-4 in the promotion. This isn’t feeding, this is logical matchmaking.
He has actually looked really good, and he has looked good against ground fighters like Ronnys Torres and Gleison Tibau. Even on the ground on his back, Guillard is getting very good at getting back up off his back. His takedown defense is also looking very good these days as well, and there seems to have a maturity in him towards fighting now after joining Jackson’s.
lol at “racially insulting mayweather”. It’s just a white guy trying to sound cool….not racial attacking. ever watch gsp hardy 24/7? was hardy racially assaulting matt serra?(not trying to justify, rather trying to explain)
How is what he said not "racially insulting"?
That’s hardly even a damning term.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
might have worded what i meant wrong
what i’m saying is, he didn’t say the word intending to insult mayweather based on his race, as was implied. he just said it with the intent of sounding cool. and failed, btw.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
That... is pretty ridiculous
How can you, on one hand, suggest that people don’t know how he meant it… then proceed to tell everyone how he meant it? You’re just being an apologist.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
well, if you had any clue how the word is used, you might know what i was talking about. but put simply, if he was saying it to offend, he probably would have used it with an “er” at the end rather than an “a”.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously guy?
You’re taking me to task over whether or not I know how to properly circumvent the malicious nature of an epithet? I’ve got news for you— the world isn’t so black and white, pun intended. You can be an idiot for saying what Stephens said without being a closet Hoelzer Reich fan. You’re opposing the idea that his comment was tasteless, by wholly excusing it as playful banter. How about this? White kids that say shit like that and think they’re being cute are dicks. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
relax, please. did you intentionally miss the “(not trying to justify, rather trying to explain)” line? Never once did I say “nah man its all gud he said it with a”. but of course, anytime someone points out the difference in intent (not the offensiveness, as they are both offensive, rather the INTENT) you feel you must go into a defensive frenzy. It’s clear what his intent was, but you dodge the point and make unfounded claims that I’m trying to justify what he said, which isn’t the case at all.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
You say you weren't trying to justify
And then proceed to make excuses for Stephens. Perhaps you’d be better served by just picking a side rather than straddling the fence.
*sigh*
if you can point out where i made an excuse…. I said it was offensive, while it was not meant to be…BECAUSE IT WASN’T. what more do you ask of me? If you’d like me to elaborate further, i’d be happy to.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh?
Who has the patience to sort through this jargon? I think we’ve both said what we have to say..
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
Getting my warning on. Don’t make me put you out the club….
"The best book on the real history of MMA that I've seen," Dave Meltzer
by Jonathan Snowden on Jun 7, 2010 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
already abusing your power, i see? :D (joking, dont ban meh)
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t want to ban you. Don’t want to hear excuses for hate speech either. So make it easy on me please!
"The best book on the real history of MMA that I've seen," Dave Meltzer
by Jonathan Snowden on Jun 7, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
In my opinion just to say the word isn't hate speech
you would have to be using it in a specifically hateful manner. As Hendo said it was pretty obvious the context in which the word was being used, especially considering Stephens’ personality. I can’t speak for how others feel about this sort of thing but it is after all just a word, the only power it contains is the power you give it. If some random individual on the street walks up and calls me that with a hard er then I might take offense, but if white friend happens to use it in the proper context I’m able to distinguish the meaning behind the words he’s using.
In conclusion, you Crackas should all stop arguing about nothin.
Training BE since January 2010
Yeah!
Also, I didn’t say it was “hate speech” and I’m not super sensitive to these things. My issue is, why would d00d take a stand to defend what he said? Doesn’t make sense to me. Stephens’ comment was some level of stupid, that’s for sure.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
who stood up for him? it was dumb to say, especially on twitter, but i think you just proved your bias, because fake emcee just said exactly what i said. It was dumb, but he didn’t mean it in an offensive way. yet, for some odd reason you’re not raging at him, why is that?
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
me and emcee have the same exact point, presented in the same exact way, yet you have no fake rage for him.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh, I didn't read anything he said on the matter
And you clearly didn’t read anything I said— everything I said regarded your defense of his comments. This is getting really annoying.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
well, guess you just get along better with emcee than with I, I said nothing that he didn’t repeat, and you agreed with.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Last warning for everyone here.
"The best book on the real history of MMA that I've seen," Dave Meltzer
by Jonathan Snowden on Jun 7, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh most definitely stupid
but for me it’s like whatever, Hendo has his passion about it but…AH DAMMIT I’m missing Rampage on Raw right now!
Training BE since January 2010
i’m with hendo, he’s not defending him he’s saying that stephens might not have had white supremacist type intentions. you guys are waaaayyyyy to reactionary lately.
Even when I'm laying on my back I'm never backing down
by Austin Martin on Jun 7, 2010 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
meh. guess you’ve got to expect it from such an uptight social community like bloodyelbow. and although i dont really feel its necessary, id take it over the crapfest at sherdog any day.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh. When he first said it, I could just imagine Joe Daddy sitting at home with his family, and everyone looking at him. For about a second, until they clued into the fact that he meant Heathen.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
That's what I thought
what a weird request that would have been considering he got smoked before and he trains with him now.
Training BE since January 2010
When Gulliard called outStephens after his last fight,
I wasnt sure who he was talking about.
He said he wanted to fight “Joe Stevens”
I was like
Either he means Joe Stevenson
or Jeremy Stephens
and I KNOW he aint jjoe Daddy again.
Melvin probably takes this one
But it all the Melvin love here just seems weird to me. The guy hasn’t really had the most stellar career.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
The love comes from the fact, while he’s always had the tools, he finally seems to be putting it all together.
And I think that may be premature.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
My view on it is based on the style matchup. Melvin’s had problems with BJJ guys, and bigger dudes he couldn’t bully around in the cage. Against wrestlers and strikers, he’s fared very well. Stephens is a wrestler and a striker, so I think Melvin will take it to him.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
Nate Diaz wasn’t lately?
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
Melvin dove head-first into a guillotine
and was handily beating Nate before-hand. It wasn’t like Nate was dominating Melvin on the ground and forcing him to escape sub after sub.
Sticking your head in a guillotine doesn’t equate to having a problem with BJJ guys.
"Sticking your head in a guillotine doesn’t equate to having a problem with BJJ guys"
sticking your head into guillotines might be a problem when going against bjj guys.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i get your point, but mental slipups of that nature are going to cause him to have problems with bjj guys.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
obviously he has gotten much better from going to jacksons, so we’ll see how much of that he’s fixed. gotta keep that in mind, though.
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
It's a problem
Dove into a guillotine against Nate and Joe Stevenson.
Played around in Josh Neer’s guard and got caught in a triangle even though he was dominating the fight and it was about to be stopped due to cuts.
Gave up a RNC to Clementi pretty easily too.
This is what it’s like being a Melvin Guillard fan. You see great wins like the ones against Ruediger (KO shot to the abs!), Rick Davis, Dennis Siver and most recently Waylon Lowe.
But you also have to deal with all the mind exploding losses like the ones to Nate Diaz and Joe Stevenson.
by Electro Boy on Jun 7, 2010 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
To be fair, the Stevenson fight he was on coke so he wasn't
All the way up there.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
Luckily Ronnys being one-dimensional helped Guillard win that fight.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
But Melvin beat both of them
although you can certainly question the Tibau decision. Nonetheless, it’s not like Melvin is only winning against guys with poor BJJ. The BJJ guys are putting up tougher fights for Guillard then strikers, sure…but he’s still getting Ws.
Hence me saying “he’s had problems with BJJ guys” as opposed to “he’s getting beaten constantly by BJJ guys”. And you can question the Torres decision too. I thought Torres won the fight, as did a lot of websites doing commentary on the fight.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
I think I scored it for Guillard
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
As did I
Though, it was a very close fight.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
I think Rogan had it 29-28 bucket of ice.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
Cecil Peoples did not see it this way
Because the ice only had 1 round of Octagon Control.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
And too many leg icings
Those don’t end fights.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
I've been a Guillard fan since TUF
Always loved his athleticism, it’s truly among the elite in mma.
But, he does make a lot of dumbass mistakes and he still has big questions to answer.
Even though I’m a fan I think the hype is premature and I don’t like everyone jumping on the bandwagon after all this time.
So people can't like him?
Not all of my favorite fighters are world champions, yaknow.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
yea...
and Melvin still done fairly well even though he’s had ups and downs. Lytle is barely at .500 in he UFC and he’s one of my favorite fighters to watch.. Same goes for Rivera and other guys also.
I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.
No people can like him. That’s totally fine. And you have probably been a fan forever. It just seems like he showed up at Jackson’s one day and everybody thinks he’s the next champ.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
I'm not so jacked over Melvin training at Jackson's
Melvin tends to wear out his welcome, he’s been all over the place.
I think those days are done
It seems to me that he’s done a lot of growing up after having to deal with his father’s death.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
There is some of that, yeah
I think if he can stop breaking his hands all the time, stay off the White Pony and stay in the gym, he could have his shot someday. My attachment to him is more of a sentimental one and I sort of root for him in that way.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
That’s not that HUGE of a stretch. He’s always had the striking for anyone in that division, and is obviously one of if not the best athlete at 55 as well. But he’s always been something of a headcase. Jackson’s is probably the best place possible for him to be to iron that out. If he can develop his JJ defense some, and he’s looking pretty elite to me.
Some black-on-white crime is about to be unleashed.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
explosive athlete on hard worker crime
by Hendo_One-Shot on Jun 7, 2010 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Hendo
If I wasn’t on my phone I’d rec the [fecal matter] out of that post
"The fact that you constantly self censor yourself makes you like a flavored type of flavor"
by Dr. Doogie Seacrest on Jun 7, 2010 10:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If you want black-on-white crime
you can just watch any Rampage interview.
Training BE since January 2010
Or Jones/Vlad in August.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
Totally off topic, but..
I just noticed Seth Petruzelli got signed by the UFC and nobody has done a Fanshot on the matter. Interesting.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
Then I have not seen it. So there.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
It is my belief that you bent the time-space continuum
..just to humiliate me.
"I have trained to fight an army. There is no way one man can stop me if many cannot." -Georges St. Pierre
Scott just got his Delorean tuned up.
by ufc4 on Jun 8, 2010 10:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
since ufc aint comin to chicago
anytime soon, me and my friends are takin a roadtrip to this one, only 3 1/2hrs to INDY!! SWEET!!
Chicago had it’s chance with the UFC a couple years ago, they didn’t exactly make the most of it.
by ufc4 on Jun 8, 2010 10:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Same with Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers.
"It's fourth and fifteen and you're looking at a full-court press." - Lt. Frank Drebin, Police Squad
both of those events were sold out....
and was the highest grossing gate for the all-state arena ever! sucks the main event ended with an injury. the fedor/rogers was rockin, place was loud!!!
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