Rich Clementi (28-12-1) is penciled in to fight Melvin Guillard (20-6-2) in a lightweight bout at UFC 79 on December 29, according to statements attributed to "No Love" via FiveOuncesofPain.com.
On the surface this doesn't seem to be anything other than a typical mixed martial arts (MMA) showdown. Dig a little deeper, however, and there is a quite a bit of animosity between these two competitors.
In fact, Guillard allegedly sucker-punched Clementi earlier this year backstage at a smaller MMA show. The incident set of a firestorm in this Underground Forum thread, which included comments and background from Clementi.
A former contestant on season four of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), Clementi recently submitted Anthony Johnson via rear naked choke at UFC 76: "Knockout" last month. He has had mixed results inside the Octagon since his appearance on the show (2-2) and will look to even up his overall record with the organization (2-3).
Prior to the rumored UFC 79 clash, Clementi is booked to fight Antoine Skinner under his own No Love Entertainment banner this upcoming weekend.
If this bout is legit it will mark the return of Guillard after serving a suspension for having an illegal stimulant (cocaine) in his system during a 27-second loss to Joe Stevenson at UFC Fight Night 9 back in April.
"The Young Assassin" was considered among the top fighters in the 155-pound division prior to the incident.
For more on UFC 79, which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, check out our archives or the rumored fight card right here.
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