The co-main event of UFC 150 pits to former training partners against one another as Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone takes on Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard in a lightweight affair.
The 18-4 Cerrone has 5 wins in his last 6 fights since making his debut in the UFC following the WEC merger of talent. Cerrone’s only loss came in the former of an unanimous decision to Nate Diaz who is now next in line for a shot at the lightweight championship.
Cerrone and Guillard trained together at Greg Jackson’s in Albuquerque, New Mexico before Guillard transposed himself to Florida to train with the Blackzilians. While Greg Jackson will be in Cerrone’s corner for the fight he didn’t work much with the coach in camp.
Instead, he trained in Vail Colorado where he started his fight training. Cerrone said that he didn’t want to work with Jackson and have Guillard feel that he was coming into the fight knowing is former coach had divulged all his strengths and weaknesses.
Guillard also feels the strong friendship towards his opponent and says it is just business. This time unlike training they will not be pulling their punches. Guillard is open to the fact that if he has Cerrone hurt, he is going to try and finish him just as he hopes Cerrone would do.
Before Guillard was offered the short notice fight he and his wife had ran into Cerrone and been invited to Cerrone’s Ranch. Guillard is not one to turn down a fight but was glad he was able to talk to Cerrone prior to signing the contract.
Guillard figured, “for me to be getting offered the fight everyone else in the division must have turned it down because that is what they do. They say they want the big fights but there is some fighters they won’t get into the cage with.”
Guillard who is 29 years old and holds a professional MMA record of 47-11-3 feels like he is finally matured enough to be champion. While he may have had the tools necessary for inside the cage he was not ready for the rest of it. Guillard has had his fair share of hardships including the loss of his father, surviving Hurricane Katrina on a bridge for three days before being rescued, and a substance abuse problem.
The Young Assassin feels now is the time and he is more focused and quality opponents than putting together win streaks. He is comfortable training now with the Blackzilians even though their coach Mike Van Arsdale recently left the team and they are now under the guidance of Mario Sperry. Guillard has even adapted the Dutch kickboxing techniques.
Guillard was not afraid to talk strategy leading up to the fight and said he knows Donald will be using his kicks to his advantage and he plans on checking them. Guillard asked, “You listening boy?” Donald replied with, “don’t worry they are coming. I’m going to kick him and kick him”
This will be a great match up between two devastating strikers and could easily be the fight of the night.
