UFC 136 fight card: Melvin Guillard title campaign continues against Joe Lauzon

This just in: Melvin Guillard really wants a title shot.

He thinks he'll deserve it, too, if he can defeat Joe Lauzon tonight (Sat., Oct. 8, 2011) on the main card of UFC 136: "Edgar vs. Maynard 3" from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

In nine fights since March 2008, Guillard has emerged victorious in all but one of them. Sure, there are names like Ronys Torres and Waylon Lowe on that list. But there are also names like Dennis Siver, Jeremy Stephens and Evan Dunham.

"The Young Assassin" has essentially made a mockery of the 155-pound division since aligning himself with Greg Jackson's MMA down in New Mexico.

For this fight, though, he broke away to train with former Jackson stalwart, Rashad Evans. Will that have an adverse affect on his planning and game plan, the two things Jackson provided that gave him an edge?

That's an important question that could ultimately determine the outcome of this contest. Guillard's gotten himself into trouble in the past by being reckless and too hungry for destruction.

The result, as was the case with his lone loss over the past three years, to Nate Diaz, can be disastrous.

It's especially prevalent tonight because his Achilles heel, his over-aggressiveness and lack of submission defense, plays right into his opponent's hands.

Joe Lauzon is a grappling guru with a propensity for snatching limbs and never letting go. Of his 20 career victories, 16 have come by way of tap, nap or snap.

The good news, for Guillard at least, is that "J-Lau" rate of victory drops significantly once the fight gets past the first round.

That leaky gas tank can be so pesky.

It might be the smart play for Guillard to drag Lauzon into deep waters but it goes against his fight game philosophy -- hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast, hit 'em first.

A loss would be devastating, as Guillard is finally right on the cusp of a title shot. And with Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard finally settling their differences later in the evening, an opponent will be needed for whoever wins.

Why not Melvin?