UFC 132 Results: Melvin Guillard - Future Lightweight Champion?

Following a devastating knockout victory over highly touted Evan Dunham in January, longtime UFC veteran Melvin Guillard looked poised for an ascent to the top of the lightweight division. Rather than facing a top contender in his next bout, he was instead paired with Shane Roller. That's not to say Roller is a bad fighter; he's got proven power in his strikes and a very strong wrestling pedigree. But he's simply not the caliber of opponent Guillard deserves, and last night the "Young Assassin" provided all the assurance to Joe Silva and the UFC brass that he's locked into the uppermost tier of the division.

Gullard showed no respect for Roller's power, dropping his hands nonchalantly from the first bell and darting in with a wide open chin for the occasional lead kick or a wild hook. Despite this recklessness, the speed deferential allowed no openings for Roller. When Guillard stopped bouncing around to sit in the pocket, he landed a right-left combo that dropped Roller, following that up with a knee from the clinch, a stiff straight left, and a patter of hammerfists that had Roller in another plane of consciousness. The onslaught lasted but a moment.

Since joining Greg Jackson's gym last year, Guillard has become the hottest commodity at lightweight. Once susceptible to the most telegraphed of submissions and never hesitant to jump into a jiu-jitsu ace's guard, the 28-year-old has learned to play to his strengths: use his strong wrestling to keep the fight on the feet, where he possesses what may be the most lethal striking in the division. With last night's win, he's reeled off five consecutive victories, three by KO, since jumping into a Nate Diaz guillotine in 2009. Now that he's past the mental lapses that so greatly plagued him, he's realize his true potential - potential that could mean UFC gold around his waist.

The division is in flux at the moment, with Gray Maynard set to rematch champion Frankie Edgar following their draw on New Year's Day. That fight is supposed to happen at some point later this year and Dana White has proclaimed Jim Miller next in line after the rematch (and after Miller plays Strech Armstrong with Ben Henderson's tendons). That leaves Guillard with roughly a year before prospective title contention, a year to continue the rapid progression he's undergone since moving his camp to Albuquerque.

Of the three men currently hovering around the championship, I favor Guillard in matchup with any of them. He has the wrestling and strength the keep from being muscled down by Maynard, the striking to give Jim Miller fits, and is perhaps the only fighter at 155 lbs who is faster than Edgar. With the exception of Miller's jiu-jitsu, he's competent enough to survive with any man in any area, and I doubt Miller would be able to get Guillard to the mat. When it's on the feet, it's only a matter of time before Guillard connects, especially over the course of five rounds.

Guillard is starting to put things together much in the same way of a fellow Jackson disciple - Jon Jones. There are few men in any division who possess the sort of raw talent Jones and Guillard bring to the table. Now that Guillard has a training environment that's teaching him how to use his bountiful skillset, it is perhaps only a matter of time before there's gold around his waist.

SBN coverage of UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber 2