Is the World Series of Fighting “B-tier” or “A-tier” in the MMA world? That question became the focal point of the World Series of Fighting media conference call earlier today when WSOF VP Ali Abdel-Aziz responded to recent comments from Melvin Guillard.
While speaking about his WSOF 15 lightweight title bout with champion Justin Gaethje, Guillard said to MMA Mania, “Gaethje is nowhere near my level — I’m an A list fighter, fighting in the B league.”
Abdel-Aziz responded to that on the call (transcribed via MMA Fighting):
“Melvin Guillard is an A level fighter. Justin Gaethje is an A level fighter. And I think this is the people’s main event,” Abdel-Aziz said. “It’s not the main event, but this is my main event. I’m going to be standing and watching this fight. Melvin knows he’s a professional. When he prepares for a B level fighter, I don’t think it’s a good way to think about it.
“Listen, Melvin, he’s man and he can talk and he can promote as much as he wants, it’s what Melvin do — and I love it,” Abdel-Aziz said. “But if he thinks he’s fighting a B level fighter, in a B level league, he’s making A level money…but everybody can win or lose. If he ends up losing, maybe he goes to the F league. I hope he’s ready. I hope Justin’s ready. I think it’s going to be fight of the night and I’m looking forward to it.”
WSOF has been unable to give fighters the bouts they’re contracted for and there have been a flurry of complaints from fighters that they also aren’t paying at the rate they’re supposed to. So one might consider it a bad idea to suggest that the promotion is paying out “A level money.”
After a bit of back and forth between the two sides, Guillard tried to explain what he meant with his statements and still found a bit of a backhanded way to compliment WSOF, pointing out that any fighter on their roster would jump at the opportunity to leave for the UFC:
“As far as me fighting for the title? I’m honored. I’m eager. This is my chance to put a gold belt around my waist to solidify my legacy,” Guillard said later on in the call. “I never looked at the World Series like they were less than the UFC. I feel the World Series organization, as far as the organization goes, is right up there with the UFC. As far as some of the fighters that are in the World Series, and I’m talking fighters – they’re trying to get where I’ve been. And don’t let none of them fool you and think for one second that they’re never going to want to f*cking jump ship and go to the UFC. Because that’s what everybody does. Because they ain’t never going to have a name for themselves until they crossover, unless this organization will grow and prosper they way they should be. But it’s going to take time.
“If not you’ve got guys going into the UFC fighting two fights and done, and then they are known as UFC fighters. That’s just not cool either. So I’m looking at this sport as a whole, bro. I’ve been around just as long as Mr. Randy Couture, and to see how I’ve ended up now? I’m trying to hold onto the last bit of respect of how fighters should be. That’s all I was saying in my interview.”