UFC Event

UFC 150 Fight Card Primer: Donald Cerrone Vs. Melvin Guillard

By Fraser Coffeen@FCoffeen Aug 11, 2012, 5:00pm EDT

The co-main event at the UFC 150 PPV features two Lightweight contenders in action. Donald Cerrone (18-4(1) MMA; 5-1 UFC) will take on Melvin Guillard (30-10-2(1); 11-6 UFC). The USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings currently have Cerrone as the #10 Lightweight in the world, with Guillard at #15. The UFC 150 PPV airs live Saturday night August 11 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Clearly, this fight is set up to deliver one thing - a stand-up war. Both Cerrone and Guillard are superb strikers, who will likely try to decide this fight on the feet. Cerrone favors a more Muay Thai based approach, while Guillard puts an emphasis on his power punches. The difference maker could be Cerrone's ground game though, as he also has submissions in his arsenal, which has often proven to be Guillard's kryptonite. One other subplot to this fight - Guillard now trains with the Blackzilians camp in Florida, but previously he trained with Greg Jackson, the longtime coach to Cerrone. Will that make a difference for Cerrone and Jackson?

How do these two stack up?

Cerrone: 29 years old | 6'0" | 73" reach
Guillard: 29 years old | 5'9" | 71" reach

What have these two done recently?

Cerrone: W - Jeremy Stephens (UD) | L - Nate Diaz (UD) | W - Dennis Siver (Sub)
Guillard: W - Fabricio Camoes (UD) | L - Jim Miller (Sub) | L - Joe Lauzon (Sub)

How did these two get here?

Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone was one of the big names of the WEC Lightweight division in its closing year, competing in some classic wars with Ben Henderson and Jamie Varner. When he made the move to the UFC, he quickly found his footing and excelled, winning 4 straight and putting himself in the Lightweight title picture. A loss last year to Nate Diaz slowed him down somewhat, but he has since come back strong with a win over Jeremy Stephens. Cerrone has his eye on a UFC Lightweight title shot - maybe too much so, as he has already called out Anthony Pettis for his next fight. Hopefully he's not overlooking Guillard.

"The Young Assassin" Melvin Guillard first came to the UFC all the way back at season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter. He's had a tumultuous UFC career, including drug related suspensions and trips up and down the rankings. Throughout it all, we've seen him mature as both a fighter and a person. Last year, he looked poised for a title shot, but 2 straight submission loses made him crash back down. He's had a comeback win, and still can be in the title picture, but you have to wonder if he will ever be able to totally put all the pieces together and be a true top contender.

Why should you care?

This has stand-up war written all over it, plus the potential for a highlight reel finish, either in the form of big KO, or Cerrone submission win. With some important rankings considerations at play as well, this one becomes a must watch.

More UFC 150 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 150: Edgar vs. Henderson II

UFC 150: Jake Shields Vs. Ed Herman Dissection - Dallas Winston

UFC 150: The Last Stand For Jake Shields - Fraser Coffeen

Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 197: Mark Pavelich, Jared Rosholt, UFC 150 Preview - Matt Bishop

UFC 150 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video And Coverage - Tim Burke

UFC 150: Yushin Okami Vs. Buddy Roberts Dissection - Dallas Winston

UFC 150 Interview: Ed Herman 'It's Not About Who The Best Guy Is Anymore' - Steph Daniels

UFC 150 Fight Week: Dana White Video Blog Day 1 - Josh Nason

UFC 150: Why Ben Henderson Vs. Frankie Edgar II Is Destined To Disappoint - Fraser Coffeen

UFC 150: Henderson Vs. Edgar Betting Lines - Tim Burke

Video: UFC 150 Open Workout & Pre-Fight Interviews With Ben Henderson, Frankie Edgar - Nate Wilcox