HE’S contemplated retirement, but Melvin Guillard says he won’t hang up the gloves until another title is in his possession.
Brutalised in Friday night’s interim AFC middleweight title fight by rising kickboxing prospect Israel Adesanya, Guillard admitted it was time to consider his future out of the fight game.
But the former UFC, Bellator and WSOF legend believes a drop to a lower weight class can open the door for the veteran to secure a gold strap in the AFC.
“I’m not leaving the sport like this,” a defiant Guillard said after his defeat at AFC 20 at Melbourne Pavilion.
“I’m looking at retiring in two, maybe three, years but I’m not retiring until I’m on top.”
Guillard, who hails from New Orleans, was dispatched by Adesanya early in Round 1 last weekend, succumbing to a vicious ground and pound.
And “The Young Assassin” left with a broken nose and suspected broken rib.
“I made a few early mistakes and it cost me the fight,” Guillard lamented.
“I think I’ve got a broken rib, I’m pretty sure it’s broken, but I’m a warrior.
“This is the second fight this year that I’ve taken at 180-185 (pounds) and I’m never going to do that again in my career.
“I didn’t want to cut weight anymore, but 155 to 170 is where my success is.
“I’m out of my league at 185. I’m not built for that. So I have to go down to a weight where I’m the s---, I’m the man.
“I’ve never turned down a fight, but I’m 34 now and I have to get smarter about picking my fights so I don’t end up on the f---ed side.
“I want to end a champion. I want to be on top when I quit.”
Guillard sung the praises of Nigerian-born Kiwi Adesanya, who is on the cusp of a contract with the UFC.
“He’s a future UFC champion if he decides to go that way,” Guillard said.
“He has a bright future. He’s a humble kid and he came to me and said I was one of his favourite fighters, so he’s humble.”
Guillard has already forecast a return to the AFC octagon in October, a blockbuster card that will be headlined by the light heavyweight scrap between current champ Jamie Abdallah, of Melbourne, and Cameroon’s Rameau Sokoudjou.
“I’ll look into it and it’s (a matter of) who wants to fight,” Guillard said.
“It’s not easy, but with the last few losses I’ve taken, hopefully that will open up the garage again.
“Maybe this loss has played into my favour. I’m hoping they (AFC) will have me back to fight for the lightweight or welterweight title.”
Guillard will have to wait if he wishes to fight for the welterweight title, with Anton Zafir and Theo Christakos scheduled to fight for the championship at AFC 21.
