Florida denies BKFC booking of Melvin Guillard over health concerns; ABC critical of 'fighter...'

TCE

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https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/bkfc-melvin-guillard-florida-state-athletic-commission-denied

Melvin Guillard won’t be fighting at BKFC: Knuckle Mania 2 after all.

The Florida Athletic Commission and executive director Patrick Cunningham have denied BKFC’s bout proposal for a Feb. 19 matchup between Guillard and Ulysses Diaz due to “serious health concern,” according to a news release issued by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) on Thursday.

“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,” the 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).”

Guillard, 38, is winless in his most recent 14 combat sports bouts, including nine knockout losses between MMA and bareknuckle boxing. In his most recent fight, Guillard was finished by Joe Riggs in 59 seconds and suffered a series of surgery-requiring facial fractures.

“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 continued. “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.”

ABC also commended Florida for its regulatory decision and oncce again cited its concerned for the sport of bareknuckle boxing “recycling” older boxers and mixed martial artists. While the ABC sees bareknuckle as a potentially inherently safer sport than boxing, it takes the stance that the culture has made it dangerous at times.

“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.”.


As fun as BKFC has been to watch, they really don't give a fuck about their fighters and safety. A man has already died from a fight in their ring, and they are a new organization.

I'm glad the commission stepped in here.
 
Saw this earlier - step in the right direction in booking some of these guys.

Jus not a good idea... Sorry fer yer wallets...
 
That's a good thing and bad thing for Melvin. He's already brain damaged and completely shot as a fighter so he doesn't need to get punched in the head thousands more times but he also probably has no other legitimate way to earn money.

Homelessness, prison or death will likely happen for him within the next few years and that is sad for a guy who was a win away from a LW title shot in the UFC a couple of times.
 
Will never forget how cocky guy he was on TUF, thought he was the best and couldnt be touched. Sad to see where he is now.

 
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Let him bang, Guillard should be allowed to go out a warrior. In Japanese culture he’d be a legend for fighting this long and showing true warrior spirit.

I don't know, out of his last 12 fights, 10 are losses and 1 is NC...you gotta know when to fold em.
 
Poor Melvin.

his body and mind and bank account are broken.

A lot of UFC guys if they don’t manage their career properly end up with nothing
 
Saw this earlier - step in the right direction in booking some of these guys.

Jus not a good idea... Sorry fer yer wallets...
At this point in Melvin's career, I don't think he brings in much money if any.
 
Probably a result of the recent death. They're going to tighten shit up for a year or two before letting 60 years olds back in the ring!
 
Let him bang, Guillard should be allowed to go out a warrior. In Japanese culture he’d be a legend for fighting this long and showing true warrior spirit.
Didn’t BKFC have a fatality recently for miss matches. I’m all for warrior spirit. But sometimes people need to be saved from themselves.

then again who are we to tell anyone what they can and can’t do. It’s a fine line and one I’m glad I’m not having to make for anyone.
 
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