Former UFC veteran Melvin Guillard’s fight with Ulysses Diaz has been canceled by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC).
In a press statement Thursday, the ABC cited concerns with Guillard’s record of 14 consecutive winless bouts going into the Diaz fight.
“The Association of Boxing Commissions is comprised of regulatory agencies from around the country – agencies that must balance the promotion of the combative arts with safety and that requires making many tough decisions,” ABC statement reads. “This week, the Florida Commission should be recognized for making one of those hard decisions: denying a fight that was proposed by Bare Knuckle Fight Championship (BKFC).”
While the ABC president Mike Mazzulli was quick to pat the Florida Athletic Commission on the back for pulling Guillard, skeptical fight fans still question how Guillard was able to secure his previous four BKFC bouts on nine consecutive winless MMA fights.
“On the surface, the fight might look competitive, but after doing due diligence, the executive director Patrick Cunningham found a serious concern with the health of Melvin Guillard,” the statement elaborated. “In checking the certified ABC record sources, BoxRec and the MMA database, it was determined Guillard is suspended and requires a neurological exam, but even if he cleared that Guillard had lost the past 4 BKB bouts and had a lost 9 mixed martial art events in a row. His last fight was at an unsanctioned event in the State of Montana which does not have an operating Commission.”
“Athletes who compete in this sport are generally older (over 35 years old), have already fought in various other disciplines and tend to be at the tail end of their careers. Many of these competitors have been affiliated with other MMA organizations and have been subsequently released by these promotional companies due to many factors including (but not limited to) loss of skills, consecutive losses, or injuries. Lastly, many of these fighters have not fought for extended periods of time. Therefore, the Association of Boxing Commission’s Medical Committee is especially concerned that athletes… “recycling” may be at higher risks for acute and chronic injuries.”
In addition to his troubles in the ring, Guillard (2-6-0, 2 KOs) has also been in hot water with the law, serving time in 2018. He was released in July 2019 with two years of probation.
BKFC: Knucklemania 2 is scheduled for Feb. 19 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Bouts include:
MIKE PERRY VS. JULIAN LANE
BRITAIN BELTRAN VS. CHRISTINE FEREA
LUIS PALOMINO VS. MARTIN BROWN
JAKE BOSTWICK VS. FRANCESCO RICCHI
JOFFRE ESCOBAR VS. ZION TOMLINSON
JADE MASSON-WONG VS. CHRISTINE VICENS
