These two Lightweights both come in as Ultimate Fighter veterans, but look to be on very divergent tracks. Guillard is on the way up, finally realizing the potential fans have seen in him for some time. He's closing in on a title shot. Lauzon was just outside the title hunt a few years ago, but has slipped outside the top ranks in recent fights. He'll have the chance to get back on track in a big way here.
How do these two stack up?
Guillard: 28 years old | 5'9" | 71" reach
Lauzon: 27 years old | 5'10" | 70" reach
What have these two done recently?
Guillard: W - Shane Roller (KO) | W - Evan Dunham (TKO) | W - Jeremy Stephens (SD)
Lauzon: W - Curt Warburton (Sub) | L - George Sotiropoulos (Sub) | W - Gabe Ruediger (Sub)
How did these two get here?
Melvin Guillard was introduced to fans as a loud-mouthed youngster on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter. Guillard fought extensively on the southern regional circuit before coming to the UFC. He went 3-2 in his first 5 UFC fights, then was suspended for testing positive for cocaine. In mid-2009 he mounted a real comeback to the UFC and has gone 6-1 since. He now trains with Greg Jackson, and looks the best he has in his career.
Joe Lauzon was brought in to the UFC in 2006 as a can for the returning Jen Pulver to smash. That didn't happen, as Lauzon upset Pulver in just 47 seconds. After a stint on The Ultimate Fighter season 5, Lauzon earned some good wins and began main eventing Fight Night shows. After a solid 5-1 UFC record, Lauzon missed almost a year of action in 2009, and is just 2-2 since coming back. He's definitely been lost in the tough Lightweight shuffle, and needs to find some consistent wins.
Why should you care?
For Guillard especially, this is a major step towards a title shot, while Lauzon will desperately fight to spoil that rise. Both men always bring excitement as well - 6 of Lauzon's last 7 have won a bonus, and Guillard is always capable of ending a fight with the Knockout of the Night. Should be a good one here.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 136 after the jump.
UFC 136 Judo Chop: The Striking of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 136 Preview - Melvin Guillard Gunning for Knockout Bonus - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136 Video - Bruce Buffer: 'You Can't Announce the Way I Announce If You're Not Into It' - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Live Weigh-In Video and Results - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Video: Frankie Edgar Says Belt Proves He Belongs at Lightweight - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Bloody Elbow Staff Predictions
UFC 136 Preview: Melvin Guillard Says Joe Lauzon Folds Under Pressure - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Chael Sonnen Denies Gameplanning for Brian Stann - Mike Fagan
UFC 136: Frankie Edgar Talks Gray Maynard, Jose Aldo - Mike Fagan
UFC 136: Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon Dissection - Dallas Winston
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 87: UFC 136 Preview
UFC 136: Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Time Aplenty for Chael Sonnen Despite Competition for Contention - Leland Roling
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Betting Lines - Tim Burke
UFC 136: Spike TV Preliminary Card Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Did Promotion Need More Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann? - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Jose Aldo's Second Chance to Destroy Foolish Assumptions - Leland Roling
UFC 136: A Running Diary of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II - Mike Fagan
UFC 136 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video and Updates - Tim Burke
UFC State of the Union: UFC 136 and the Lightweight Division - Fraser Coffeen
Countdown to UFC 136 Video
UFC 136: Melvin Guillard's Continuing Quest for a Title Shot - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Preview: Looking Back at Edgar vs. Maynard 2 Highlights and Reaction - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Facebook Undercard Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Dana White Video Blog, Day 1