In the main event of the night at the inaugural UFC on FX card, you’ve got two lightweights that had long win streaks snapped in their last bout. Both were definitely in title contention until those respective losses, and both of them desperately need a win here to maintain their place in the top tier of the division. Melvin Guillard (29-9-2, 1 NC, 10-5 UFC) meets Jim Miller (20-3, 9-2 UFC) in a three round bout.
Miller currently sits in the 7 spot at lightweight in the USA Today/BE Consensus Rankings, while Guillard is at number 15. Miller is very likely to move back into the top 5 with a win, while Guillard will be looking to move back into the top 10 with a victory (he has been as high as number 8 in the past). This lightweight UFC on FX fight will be the main event of the night, and will be aired live on…where else? FX. The broadcast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
How do these two stack up?
Guillard: 28 years old | 5’9″ | 71″ reach
Miller: 28 years old | 5’8 | 71″ reach
What have these two done recently?
Guillard: L – Joe Lauzon (SUB) | W – Shane Roller (KO) | W – Evan Dunham (TKO)
Miller: L – Ben Henderson (UD) | W – Kamal Shalorus (TKO) | W – Charles Oliveira (SUB)
How did these two get here?
Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard has been around the UFC for a long time, and it looked like he was finally getting his act together and was working towards the top of the division for a while. A move to Greg Jackson’s camp seemed to calm him down and help him reign in his somewhat-shaky mental game, and he was able to win a bunch of fights in a row. He was a big favorite in his last bout at UFC 136 against Joe Lauzon, and split time between Jackson’s camp and Victory Athletics in Florida while preparing. Unfortunately for Melvin, he was caught by a big shot early and quickly submitted by Lauzon, and now he badly needs a win over Miller to maintain any sort of grasp on a possible future title shot.
Jim Miller is one half of the beastly Miller brothers, along with his middleweight brother Dan. He entered the UFC in late 2008 with just one blemish on his record, a loss to current UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. He quietly went 9-1 in his first 10 UFC bouts (his only loss coming to Gray Maynard), and picked up two submission of the night bonuses along the way. His seven-fight win streak earned him a bout with former WEC lightweight champ Ben Henderson at UFC on Versus 5, and a likely title shot if he was able to get the W. Henderson threw a wrench in that with a gutsy unanimous decision victory though, and Miller now needs a win over Guillard to stay at the front of the line when it comes to lightweight contenders.
Why should you care?
This is an intriguing style matchup and both guys always bring it when they’re inside the octagon. Whether it goes 30 seconds or 15 minutes, it’s going to be exciting.
You can catch more UFC on FX preview content from Bloody Elbow after the jump.
SBN coverage of UFCon FX: Guillard vs. Miller
UFC on FX: Miller vs. Guillard And The UFC Lightweight Title Picture – Fraser Coffeen
UFC On FX: Jim Miller vs. Melvin Guillard Dissection – Dallas Winston
UFC On FX: Duane Ludwig Vs. Josh Neer Dissection – Dallas Winston
UFC on FX: Mike Easton Vs. Jared Papazian Dissection – Dallas Winston
UFC On FX: Is Pat Barry Fighting For His Job? – Fraser Coffeen
UFC On FX 1 Weigh-In Results – Guillard 156, Miller 155 – Tim Burke
UFC On FX: Guillard Vs. Miller Staff Predictions – Bloody Elbow
UFC On FX: Jim Miller Discusses Kidney Infection That Hurt Him Against Ben Henderson – Kid Nate
UFC On FX: Pat Barry Says Ground Game Has Experienced ‘Tremendous Growth’ – Brent Brookhouse
UFC On FX: Pat Barry Vs. Christian Morecraft Dissection – Dallas Winston
UFC On FX: Fuel TV Preliminary Card Dissection – Dallas Winston
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